Are Doctors Able to Assess Prostatic Size?

Abstract

The between-observer variation was evaluated through three independent estimates of preoperative prostatic weight in each of 40 patients. Error in the estimates was of considerable magnitude irrespective of size of prostates. Experienced urologists did not attain a more reliable estimate than unexperienced doctors. Only about 2/3 of estimates were correct within a range of +/- 25 g. However, there was a statistically significant correlation between estimated and actual operative prostatic weight.