[Efficacy of pretreatment with Serenoa repens on bleeding associated with transurethral resection of prostate].

OBJECTIVE

Aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a pretreatment with lipidic-sterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) to reduce bleeding during transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODS

This is a monocentric, randomised versus control group study. We enrolled 108 patients, randomised either in the experimental group or in the control one. Patients in the experimental group received a pretreatment with Serenoa repens (320 mg/die of Permixon) for at least 8 weeks before the TURP procedure. In the control group patients did not receive any medical treatment before the intervention.

RESULTS

Out of 108 enrolled patients, 88 were evaluated per protocol. In the pretreated group the perioperative bleeding was significantly lower than in the control one (respectively 124 vs 287 ml) and the need of transfusion decreased remarkably. Moreover, in the pretreated group, the duration of postoperative catheterization (respectively 3 vs 5 days) and the evaluated hematological parameters (red cells 4.5 vs 4 million, hemoglobin 13.4 vs 11.9 g, hematocrit 40% vs 35%) were significantly lower than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pretreatment with Serenoa repens, before TURP procedure, improves the efficacy of the procedure itself and reduces the risk of complications, in particular perioperative bleeding and duration of postoperative catheterization.