There has been a recent resurgence of interest in the role of transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia in view of the introduction of new modalities. We have conducted a retrospective analysis of 175 cases operated from October 1988 to June 1989 with an aim to ascertain the present mortality and morbidity rates associated with this procedure. The main presenting symptoms were acute retention of urine (54%) and bladder outlet obstruction (33%). The average weight of the prostate resected was 24.2 gm and 3% of specimens revealed malignant changes on histology. Seventy-five percent of the patients have post-operative stay of 5 days or less. Urinary tract infection was the commonest complication (16%). Clot retention requiring re-scope occurred in 2% of our patients. Twelve percent (12%) of our patients developed acute retention post-operatively but only 2% required re-scope as the rest resolved conservatively. We had one mortality in our series as a result of post-operative pneumonia. After 6 months follow-up, 4% complained of mild urinary incontinence and another 4% noted retrograde ejaculation. Six percent developed urethral strictures which required surgical treatment. Three years after the procedure, we retrieved the case notes of our cohort to analyse long-term results. We note that ninety-eight percent of our patients were discharged after nine months follow-up. This includes the 4% who complained of mild stress incontinence at 6 months follow-up. The remaining 2% was discharged after 24 months because of recurrent urethral stricture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)