Suprapubic prostatectomy. The removable purse string: a continuing comparative analysis of 300 consecutive cases.

Mortality rates, length of hospitalization, transfusion requirements, weights of excised tissue, complications and operating time are analyzed in this series of 300 patients who underwent suprapubic prostatectomies in which a removable purse-string closure of the bladder neck was used. The results are compared to those in other studies. The mortality rate in our study is the lowest reported to date for a large series. We believe that this technically simple operation, which has the most adaptability for combination with conjunctive operations, low transfusion requirements, few long-term complications and which can be done rapidly, is the most desirable method to remove benign prostates of 40 gm. or larger. We believe that there should be acceptance of broader indications for its use and that greater emphasis should be placed on teaching this procedure in urological training programs.