The Oxford Laser Prostate Trial: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial of contact vaporization of the prostate against transurethral resection; preliminary results

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of contact laser vaporization and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 148 patients with clinical benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) who were recruited and allocated randomly to undergo either TURP (72 patients) or laser ablation of the prostate (76 patients). The outcome was assessed using the American Urological Association (AUA -7) symptom score after 1 and 3 months as the primary measure and by urinary flow rates, haematological factors and the duration of hospital stay and length of catheterization. RESULTS: With 90% statistical power, the results at 3 months showed no clinical or statistical difference between the treatments in change in AUA symptom score. A lower blood loss, hospital stay and duration of catheterization significantly favoured the laser treatment, although the failure rate of trial without catheter and the rate of re-operation were higher after laser treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These early data are encouraging for this technique, although the outcome after one year requires evaluation before advocating the widespread uptake of this method.