Surgical tip to prevent bladder perforation during transurethral resection of bladder tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Transurethral resection of bladder tumors is performed for the treatment of bladder cancer. We describe our surgical technique for transurethral resection of bladder tumors. It is easy to control the tissue depth of resection using the lateral resecting portion of the conventional right-angle loop electrode. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Since April 2006, we have performed this technique on 57 consecutive lesions in 37 patients. The surgeon rotates the resectoscope and uses the lateral resecting portion of the right-angle loop electrode to control the tissue depth during transurethral resection. The tissue depth of resection can be precisely controlled by the surgeon using this technique. No bladder perforation or uncontrollable bleeding was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: The described surgical tip is a safe technique to prevent bladder perforation during transurethral resection of bladder tumors.