Rotoresect: new technique for resection of the prostate: experimental phase

Abstract

We developed a new resection device-the Rotoresect -with the aim of reducing morbidity during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). During rotoresection, a rotating ablator electrode enables simultaneous tissue coagulation by high-frequency current and mechanical tissue ablation. The tissue ablation rate and the extent of bleeding were quantified ex vivo using a blood-perfused porcine kidney (N = 30) and then compared with loop resection and electrovaporization (grooved roller/Rollerball). Additionally, transurethral rotoresection of the prostate and open partial resection of the liver were carried out in five dogs. With the blood-perfused porcine kidney, we demonstrated that the tissue ablation rate increases with increasing of the coagulation current and rotation speed of the ablator electrode. The Rotoresect achieved a tissue ablation rate comparable to that of the resection loop (5.5-6.0 g/min), which was more than twice the rate achieved by electrovaporization (1.7-2.0 g/min). The extent of bleeding during standard loop resection was many times higher (16.5-18.0 g/min) than that induced by rotoresection and electrovaporization (< 2.3 g/min). In our in vivo canine trials, we performed transurethral prostate resection and open segmental liver resection with minimal bleeding. The Rotoresect is a promising instrument for ablation of parenchymal organs during transurethral, laparoscopic, and open surgical procedures.