Prostate Research Project Outlined

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31519, 6 November 1967, Page 9

Prostate Research Project Outlined

Research aimed at reducing infection associated with enlargement of the prostate gland and its surgical removal will be undertaken over a two-year period at Christchurch Hospital.

Removing the prostate is one of the most common operations, and is faced by one in five men between the ages of 40 and 70. The renal physician at Christchurch Hospital (Dr P. J. Little) said on Friday that in order to prevent infection, it was essential to have a detailed knowledge of the reasons why infection occurred in patients with prostatic enlargements. There was little reliable information on tbis point, and this was the purpose of the projected study. Approximately 200 patients were admitted to ward II at the hospital each year with urinary obstruction due to enlargement of the prostate. Dr Little said. A preliminary study had shown that a proportion of these patients developed urinary infection. Infection, which could become apparent either before or after surgery, was thought to explain the considerable increase in the incidence of inflammation of the kidney in men during the fifth and sixth decade of life, and the marked increase in the incidence of kidney deficiency in this age group. Dr Little said that the presence of an abnormality in the urinary tract made the adequate and permanent cure of infection almost impossible. For this reason, more attention was being paid to the prevention of infection, rather than the treatment of established disease. Assisted by a recent Bank of New Zealand grant, the research project would be carried out by the staff of the urological department at the hospital, Dr Little said. As part of the routine care of patients, treatment and progress would be analysed and no additional procedures would be entailed. About 400 patients during the two-year period would be under study. The research involved study of a world-wide problem in civilised countries and it was only in the last few years that medical men had

come to understand anything about it, said Dr Little. The chairman of the medical staff at the hospital (Mr N. F. Greens lade) said he was gratified at the increase in community cooperation with the hospital which was being extended in an increasing number of areas. It was the sort of cooperation, which the Bank of New Zealand was showing with its grants for medical research, whicb meant that research projects which the State could not face, could be carried out. Research not only improved the standard of hospital care, but also created a research climate favourable to the retention and attracting of staff, Mr Greenslade said. Research was essential in any modern hospital and this sort of project and its support should be encouraged.