Transurethral resection for a large prostate--is it safe?

A retrospective self-audit exercise was undertaken on 47 men who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and in whom the resected weight was 80 g or more. The operative mortality and morbidity rates were 6 and 55% respectively, being highest in the "very old and unfit" group (22 and 88%). The complication rate increased if the resected prostatic weight was 100 g or more, or if the resection time exceeded 75 min. It was concluded that careful selection of patients is necessary before undertaking TUR for a large gland.