Abstract
Urine flow rates [UFR] were measured before and after elective prostatic operations in 53 patients. The over-all success rate was 72%, as assessed by the changes in symptoms and UFR. Patients with less than a satisfactory operative result had more frequency and urgency and higher preoperative UFR than patients with good results from the operation. Since bladder conditions unassociated with bladder outflow obstruction may be responsible for the poor results it was recommended that UFR be measured before an elective prostatic operation so that patients unlikely to benefit from an operation may be identified.