Also called enlarged prostate gland, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition in men after the age of 45. Its common symptoms include urinary discomfort during the day and at night: frequent and incomplete urination, possible pain, dribbling and others. This series of voiding symptoms and urological complications directly affect patients' quality of life.
When we talk about BPH it is because there is a formal diagnosis by a urologist, usually in men from 45 years of age, reaching 90% of affectation at 80 years of age. Research suggests a dysregulation of testosterone formation that may stimulate cell growth.
An enlarged prostate requires treatment and medical management, although some urinary discomfort may initially be tolerable, but when left untreated it can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, or incontinence that worsens over time.
It should be noted that an enlarged prostate can mask other diseases, ranging from a simple urinary tract infection, prostatitis, kidney or bladder stones, and most seriously, cancer.
Until recently the alternative to treat this condition was drugs and surgery, whether it was open surgery, laser surgery or transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate, but nowadays we also have steam heat therapy, which has become a good alternative and another treatment tool for cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Furthermore, it is minimally invasive, is performed on an outpatient basis, and does not alter the patient's sexual functions, such as the ability to continue ejaculating.
Which patient benefits from steam treatment?
The application of this treatment has been proven to reduce symptoms, clear blockages and reduce prostate tissue in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients who can benefit from this treatment are those with a prostate volume between 30 and 90cc. The system we have at GUA also allows us to treat patients with prostate hyperplasia by preserving ejaculation.
How is wet thermal energy generated?
This treatment uses radiofrequency to generate "wet" thermal energy, in the form of water vapour, which is injected into the prostate in controlled doses. The steam injected into the prostate tissue rapidly disperses through the cells and destroys them in a controlled manner, reducing the volume of prostate tissue adjacent to the urethra. The steam condensation process also causes a rapid collapse of the vasculature in the treatment area, resulting in an intervention with no blood loss and preservation of the ejaculatory mechanism, allowing semen to continue to be expelled.
What is the patient's readiness for treatment?
It is performed under sedation and specific medication for pain-free treatment.
What is the process our urologists at GUA follow to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
- Before initial contact with the patient, the device shall be prepared. The device shall be activated to remove condensed water from the sheath by means of external heat and the standby function shall be left on to keep the steam ready.
- Once the patient is prepared, the handpiece is inserted and the prostatic anatomy, i.e. bladder and urethra, is visually assessed.
- The area shall be examined by measuring the fields of vision (FOV) between the bladder neck and the verum montanum (urethral ridge).
- Once inserted, our specialist will examine and verify by measuring the fields of vision (FOV) between the bladder neck and the verum montanum la, the treatment area of the vapour.
- Then, starting at the neck of the bladder and leaving a centimetre distance, our specialist will place the device on a side lobe and release the radiofrequency needle to administer the steam treatment.
- The steam treatment will be activated while holding the insertion device steady. Each treatment lasts 9 seconds. Once the treatment is completed, the needle shall be retracted.
- Subsequently, further steam treatment sessions could be administered 1 cm apart, until the proximal end of the verum montanum is reached.
- Finally, our exceptional team of specialists will perform a final assessment of the prostatic urethra and bladder.
Do not hesitate to contact us to clarify any doubts you may have about this procedure. At GUA we will offer you the highest quality care from the best urologists in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria .
Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.
It is a simple but excellent exhibition! Thank you GUA
Thank you very much!