Early experience with transurethral needle ablation of large prostates

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transurethral needle ablation (TUNA(R)) performed on benign hyperplastic prostates > 60 gms. Patients and methods: Ten patients with bilobar hyperplasia and without a large middle lobe received one TUNA(R) Treatment. The mean age was 67.5 years (range 56-80) and the mean prostatic weight was 76.89 (range 62-98 gms). Symptom scores, quality of life (QOL), maximum and average flow rates were measured before and 1,3, and 6 months post treatment. RESULTS: After 6 months patients showed mean improvements in symptom scores (19.9 to 12.11), maximum flow rates (8.63 mL/sec to 12.75 mL/sec) and QOL (4.2 to 2.33). Recurrence of symptoms occurred in one patient at 13 months post TUNA(R) and he was retreated. One patient developed urinary retention and received a TURP. CONCLUSIONS: Short term results in this small group of patients indicate that TUNA(R) is a safe technique for individuals with large prostates and in this small group of patients resulted in reduced symptoms, high patient satisfaction and acceptable morbidity.