[Evaluation of new technical alternative procedures for therapy of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Transurethral resection of the prostate is still the gold standard in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. It has proved possible to reduce the mortality of this treatment almost to zero, while the morbidity has remained unchanged at 18% for decades. Therefore, understandably, procedures are being looked for that will be similarly effective but have lower morbidity. Current developments in this field are transurethral implants (spiral, intraurethral catheter, Wall-Stent), the balloon dilatation, transurethral incision (TUIP), laser therapy (TULIP, ITK), ultrasound-induced aspiration of tissue and heat treatment (hyperthermia, thermotherapy). Chances and risks inherent in these different technical procedures and the amount of investment they involve are reviewed. Potential for the future can at best be attributed to the Wall-Stent, TUIP, the application of laser and the thermotherapy.