OBJECTIVESTo assess the long-term outcome of the efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in men with detrusor underactivity (DUA), a cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a significant minority of men. PATIENTS AND METHODSNeurologically intact men with LUTS, who were investigated in our department between 1972 and 1986, diagnosed with DUA and who underwent surgical intervention, were invited for a repeat symptomatic and urodynamic assessment. Identical methods were used, allowing direct comparison of the results. RESULTSIn all, 224 men were initially diagnosed with DUA; 87 (39%) of these died in the interim and 22 followed had a TURP, with a mean follow-up since surgery of 11.3 years. There were no significantly sustained reductions in any symptoms. There was a small but significant reduction of questionable clinical significance in the bladder outlet obstruction index, but this did not translate into an improved flow rate. Comparison with 58 agematched patients with DUA who remained untreated showed no significant advantage of surgical intervention in the long-term; on the contrary, there was more chronic retention in those who had had surgery. CONCLUSIONSThere are no long-term symptomatic or urodynamic gains from TURP in men shown to have DUA. The results of TURP in men with DUA are important, as urologists who surgically treat patients based on the symptoms and uroflowmetry alone will do so in a significant minority of men with DUA. These results strengthen the argument for a routine preoperative urodynamic assessment. Authors from Leicester assessed the prevalence and incidence rates for urinary incontinence and storage disorder in the UK over a 1-year period, finding that this constituted a major public health problem, with consequent effects on services and funding.

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This unique long-term study provides valuable information on surgically treated bladder outlet obstruction. The association of long-term failure following surgery with DUA emphasizes the importance of pressure flow studies before repeat surgery. However, our faith in the long-term efficacy of TURP is justified.

Purpose: Previously, we showed that adoptive transfer of in vivo vaccine-primed and ex vivo (anti-CD3/anti-CD28) costimulated autologous T cells (ex-T) at day +12 after transplant increased CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts at day +42 and augmented vaccine-specific immune responses in patients with myeloma. Here, we investigated the safety and kinetics of T-cell recovery after infusing ex-Tat day +2 after transplant. Experimental Design: In this phase I/II two-arm clinical trial, 50 patients with myeloma received autografts after high-dose melphalan followed by infusions of ex-T at day +2 after transplant. Patients also received pretransplant and posttransplant immunizations using a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine only (arm B; n = 24) or the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine plus an HLA-A2^restricted multipeptide vaccine for HLA-A2 + patients (arm A; n = 26).

for no specific treatment were invited for repeat symptomatic and urodynamic evaluation. Identical methods of assessment were used, allowing results to be compared directly. RESULTSIn all, 1068 men were initially diagnosed with BOO; 428 (40%) of these died. Of the 170 men who initially opted for a conservative approach and attended for repeat assessment, 141 (83%) remained untreated, with a mean follow-up of 13.9 years. The only significant urodynamic changes were a reduction in detrusor contractility and an increased prevalence of detrusor overactivity. Most patients reported no change in their symptoms but a significant minority experienced a gradual deterioration. Of the 29 men in whom the conservative approach failed, 22 proceeded to surgery for LUTS, and seven for acute urinary retention. CONCLUSIONSPatients with untreated BOO do not significantly deteriorate urodynamically in the long term, with only a minority deteriorating symptomatically. These findings justify a conservative approach to men with LUTS associated with BOO. KEYWORDSbladder outlet obstruction, lower urinary tract symptoms, urodynamics, natural history.