The safety and efficacy of transurethral microwave therapy in high-risk catheter-dependent men

Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) in the management of high-risk catheter-dependent men, although few have assessed safety in high-risk patients, including those continuing anticoagulation therapy during treatment. Our goal was to assess the safety and effectiveness of TUMT in a population of high-risk catheter-dependent men.

A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TUMT at a single Veterans Affairs facility for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia was completed. The primary outcome was 30-day postprocedural complications by Clavien-Dindo grade, including bleeding events. The secondary outcome was success in catheter removal.

We performed TUMT in 157 men, 105 of whom had urinary retention-requiring an indwelling urethral catheter or clean intermittent catheterization. Overall, 86% of patients underwent TUMT while on anticoagulant therapy and 25% were treated while taking warfarin. The median age of the patients was 76.9 years (95% CI 74.9-78.8) median ASA-score was 3, and median follow-up was 26 months (range 1-65). Only two men experienced hematuria requiring treatment postoperatively and no transfusions were required. Only two patients (1.9%) required readmission within 30 days after treatment. There were 24 (22.9%) Clavien-Dindo grade I-II complications without grade III or higher complications. Urinary retention resolved in 63.7% of men after treatment.

Our results suggest that TUMT is a safe and reasonably effective treatment for high-risk catheter-dependent men. Furthermore, the low incidence of adverse bleeding events suggests that TUMT is a safe treatment modality for men requiring uninterrupted anticoagulation.