[Transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia]

Transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy was performed in 38 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia using Thermex II (Direx) between December 1992 and June 1993, and its clinical efficacy was evaluated by analysing the subjective and objective responses following the treatment. Each patient was treated with an indwelling 16 Fr balloon catheter with electrode, in a single session of 90 minutes at 47-47.5 degrees C. The clinical efficiency was evaluated by total of AUA symptom score and objective findings in terms of maximum flow rate 12 weeks after treatment. The symptom score improved from 15.4 +/- 4.9 (mean +/- SD) to 7.3 +/- 5.2 25% or more improvement was found in 80% (20/25) of patients. No significant change was found in average of maximum flow rate before and after treatment, which were 8.9 +/- 4.1 (ml/sec) and 9.2 +/- 3.3, respectively. During the treatment no severe adverse effect except sense of heat and urgency was detected. Posttreatment urinary retension was found in 9 patients and catheters were indwelled in eight of them for a few days and prostatectomy was performed in one patients after 8 weeks of treatment. In four patients prostatectomy was performed between one day and 8 weeks after thermotherapy and histrogical effect on the resected specimen was examined. In the prostatic urethra, hemorrhage and inflammatory change were observed. However, in the prostatic tissue there was no necrotic region. Transurethral radiofrequency thermotherapy is safe and easy and it may be one of the useful treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia.