Patrick Betschart, Jessica Rührup, Mark Meier, Alberto Piller, Thomas Leippold, Carlo Camathias
Direct evidence on postoperative activity after transurethral resection is absent; ERAS data support early mobilization within multimodal bundles. Future research should separate immediate mobilization from convalescence, include infectious endpoints, and incorporate patient-level factors such as frailty and anticoagulation.
BACKGROUND: TURP and TURBT are among the most frequently performed urological procedures; laser alternatives such as HoLEP are increasingly adopted. Patients are routinely advised to restrict postoperative activity, yet recommendations conflate immediate mobilization (hours to days) with medium-term convalescence restrictions (weeks).
OBJECTIVE: To map the evidence linking postoperative activity to complications and recovery after TURP, TURBT, and laser-based transurethral procedures.
METHODS: PRISMA-ScR scoping review. PubMed, Scopus, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched (1 June 2026); a supplementary PubMed search (July 2026) targeted UTI, orchitis/epididymitis, anticoagulation, and frailty. Records were screened by title/abstract and charted descriptively.
RESULTS: Of 263 records, 31 were charted (5 directly relevant, 26 contextual); the supplementary search added 10 contextual sources. No trial compared activity restriction with early mobilization using surgical complication endpoints. No data linked activity level to UTI or orchitis/epididymitis after transurethral resection. ERAS studies incorporating early mobilization showed improved or unchanged recovery without increased complications. All direct evidence addresses the immediate postoperative phase; no study examined medium-term convalescence restrictions. Frailty, comorbidities, and anticoagulation are relevant risk modifiers but unstudied in relation to activity.
CONCLUSIONS: Direct evidence on postoperative activity after transurethral resection is absent; ERAS data support early mobilization within multimodal bundles. Future research should separate immediate mobilization from convalescence, include infectious endpoints, and incorporate patient-level factors such as frailty and anticoagulation.