High temperature radiofrequency transurethral ablation of the prostate (TURAPY)

Conventional treatment for BPH in recent decades has been transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or open prostatectomy, depending on adenoma volume. As TURP is a surgical treatment associated with high morbidity, a certain failure rate and mortality, urologists have been looking for other alternative treatments that are safer and at least as effective. Prostatic tissue ablation is one of the preferred alternative BPH treatments today and can be achieved with laser or with TURAPY--Transurethral Ablation Prostatectomy. This new treatment based on thermeablation of the prostate has been introduced recently by Direx Medical Systems. The treatment is administered with a transurethral Folley-like electrode delivering temperatures in the range of 80 degrees C. TURAPY causes extensive ablation of the tissue around the prostatic urethra, without the complications of a surgical procedure. Twenty two men, age 76 to 92 years (mean 79) with symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and suprapubuc urinary fistulas were treated with the computer controlled radio frequency device TURAPY as day cases under local anaesthesia. In 1, 5-2 months after the procedure urination was restored, urinary fistulas healed.