Transurethral needle ablation for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The TUNA device is a unique system that uses radiofrequency energy to ablate the obstructing prostate adenoma. Although the clinical data are preliminary, they appear to provide improvement in symptom scores and peak flow rates, although somewhat less than TURP. A prospective, randomized trial comparing TUNA to TURP is under way, which should answer many of the questions regarding the safety and efficacy of this device for BPH. It is a potentially attractive device because of the limited anesthesia requirements, ease of the procedure, and the possibility of making this an office-based technique. The definitive role of this unique device awaits the results of ongoing clinical trials.