[Localized hyperthermia of the prostate via the rectum in chronic inoperable urinary retention]

Local transrectal hyperthermia of the prostate was used to treat 16 poor surgical risk patients who had an indwelling catheter because of chronic urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy. We used the Brucker (Prost-care) model with a rectal applicator, a water cooling system and a microwave generator operating at 915 MHz. Intraprostatic temperatures of 42 degrees to 44 degrees C were measured by a radiometric system. 12 patients received a complete treatment which consists in 6 to 10 sessions of one hour and was controlled at least one month later. 8 of them no longer need a catheter. Uroflowmetry was between 7.5 and 17.6 ml/sec and residual urine appreciate by ultrasounds was less than 60 cm3.