Balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra. Work in progress

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition causing lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Current treatments for BPH can have significant side effects.
• There is a need for effective and less invasive BPH treatment options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon dilatation for treating the prostatic urethra in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• To assess the long-term patency and pathological changes following the procedure.

Main Methods:

• Balloon dilatation was performed in vivo on six dogs and in vitro on two dogs and one human with BPH.
• Follow-up assessments included radiographic and pathological examinations.
• Technical modifications were implemented to minimize complications.

Main Results:

• Persistent prostatic urethral dilatation was observed in all subjects.
• Radiographic and pathological findings confirmed the sustained widening of the urethra.
• Complications were primarily limited to the initial phase of the study due to technical improvements.

Conclusions:

• Balloon dilatation is a promising technique for achieving persistent prostatic urethral dilatation in BPH.
• While initial results are encouraging, further research is needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety in human patients.
• The procedure demonstrates potential as a minimally invasive alternative for BPH management.