Open prostatectomy in benign prostatic hyperplasia: 10-year experience in Italy.

This study reports the experience of 47 Italian urology units together with the urology unit at the University of Perugia concerning open surgery in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Until 20-25 years ago, open surgery was the most common approach. In the late 1970s the development of endoscopes and their methodology has led to a gradual reduction in open surgery operations, which decreased rapidly with the introduction of mini-invasive endoscopic techniques. Therefore, open surgery for BPH is declining, though still performed. Skill in traditional surgery is mandatory because, until an alternative is devised, indications for open surgery still exist and cannot be ignored. The survey shows the indications and contraindications, complications and results of a 10-year nationwide experience. Guidelines for open surgery in patients with BPH have been drawn up.