New emerging technologies in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Transurethral resection of the prostate has long been held as the gold standard for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); however, there have been significant innovations in other less invasive alternative treatments for BPH in recent years. Our purpose is to present emerging surgical treatment modalities which have been presented in the last 12 months.

We report recent results in different treatment options for BPH. The concept of stenting the urethra has already been introduced nearly 20 years ago in urology and like intraprostatic injection of botulinum toxin it has found application in urological treatment of bladder outlet obstruction. The prostatic urethral lift procedure is a novel surgical minimal invasive approach needing long-term results. Intraprostatic injections with NX-1207 and histotripsy fractionation of prostate tissue are treatment modalities, which are currently under evaluation for a clinical application in humans.

Anaesthesia-free outpatient capability, lack of sexual side-effects and avoidance of actual surgery are attractive to patient and clinician alike. Some of the presented treatments may establish in clinical practice as a suitable treatment alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate and medical therapy.