Comparison of bipolar plasmakinetic energy and conventional techniques for transurethral bladder tumor resection

Objective: In this study, we compared the plasmakinetic (PK) energy and conventional techniques for transurethral resection (TUR-B) in bladder tumor. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with bladder tumor were included to the study and randomized into two study groups. First group (GI) had conventional and second group (GII) had PK TUR-B. Age, previous operation number, tumor size, shape, grade, stage, pathologic artefact, operation time, intra- and post-operative complication rates, adductor contraction, and hospitalization time were recorded. At first month, urethral stricture and persistant hematuria were evaluated. Results: Mean age of GI and GII was 58.0, 62.4, respectively. Previous operation number, tumor size, shape, grade and stage were not statistically different between two groups (p>0.05). One (7.1%) patient in GI and 6 (48.5%) patients in GII had multiple tumors (p<0.05). There were no difference in operation time within groups (p>0.05) while hospitalization time was significantly longer in GI (p<0.05). Adductor contraction has not been observed in GI patients, but it has been detected in half of GII patients (p<0.05). In 2 (28.5%) patients of GII, PK energy converted to conventional method due to uncontrollable adductor contraction. In 1 patient of GI, reoperation was required due to post-operative hematuria. Pathologic artefact, urethral stricture, and persistant hematuria were not observed. Conclusion: PK bladder tumor resection may be an effective alternative method of conventional technique with less hospitalization time, especially in multipl tumors. Adductor contraction could be a restrictive factor to use PK technique safely in all bladder tumor.