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Minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: practice patterns in Minnesota
Barbara Ercole1, Courtney Lee, Sara Best
1Department of Urologic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Journal of Endourology
|March 31, 2005
Summary
Younger urologists are more likely to offer minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Rural practitioners in Minnesota offer fewer minimally invasive BPH procedures, indicating a need for increased access to these therapies in non-metropolitan areas.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Management
Background:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is highly prevalent, affecting a majority of older men.
- Many BPH patients are unsuitable for traditional surgical interventions like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
- This necessitates the development and adoption of less invasive therapeutic alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utilization patterns of newer, minimally invasive therapies for BPH among urologists in Minnesota.
- To identify factors influencing the choice between traditional and minimally invasive BPH treatments.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 174 Minnesota Urological Society members, with 58 responses analyzed.
- A clinical scenario of BPH refractory to medical therapy was presented, with options for traditional and minimally invasive treatments.
- Urologists indicated whether they would offer, perform, or refer each treatment option; statistical analysis (chi-square, t-tests) was performed.
Main Results:
- 59% of urologists offered both minimally invasive and traditional BPH therapies, while 10% offered only minimally invasive and 29% only traditional options (P=0.01).
- Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (55%) and transurethral needle ablation (33%) were the most common minimally invasive procedures offered.
- Rural urologists were significantly less likely to offer minimally invasive BPH therapy (43%) compared to metro physicians (81%; P=0.035).
Conclusions:
- Urologists who recently completed residency training are more inclined to incorporate minimally invasive BPH techniques.
- A disparity exists in the offering of minimally invasive BPH procedures, with rural Minnesota urologists being less likely to provide them.
- Enhancing the availability and accessibility of minimally invasive BPH techniques in rural settings is recommended.