Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of the short term (2-4 weeks) pretreatment of BPH with dutasteride and finasteride on bleeding after TURP. To date no study has been done which has compared 2 weeks of preoperative finasteride and placebo with 2 and 4 weeks of preoperative dutasteride.
Materials and methods: A prospective randomized double blind study was conducted in for a period of 2 years. All patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of enlarged prostate were evaluated further as required. All cases who were diagnosed to have BPH and were planned for surgery were included in the study.
Results: There was no significant difference in duration of surgery, amount of irrigation fluid used, weight of the resected tissue and duration of postoperative irrigation. Statistically significant differences were seen in total volume of blood loss, blood loss per minute of operating time and blood loss per gram of resected prostatic tissue.  When compared to placebo (P2) group, the total volume of blood loss, blood loss per minute of operating time, blood loss per gram of resected tissue, fall in hemoglobin at 24 hours, fall in hematocrit at 24 hours and requirement of blood transfusion was significantly less in D2 and F2 groups.
Conclusion: Short term preoperative dutasteride and finasteride for 2 weeks can significantly reducethe blood loss during the perioperative period. Both the 5-ARIs, dutasteride and finasteride are equally effective in reducing the perioperative blood loss during TURP and they significantly reduce the requirement for blood transfusion.