Transurethral electrochemical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the mechanism and feasibility of transurethral electrochemical therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between March 1998 and March 2000, specifically designed devices and catheters for electrochemical therapy were applied to 6 prostate specimens obtained by suprapubic prostatectomy in order to treat BPH patients with urinary retention for whom surgery was contraindicated. Sixteen patients (with a mean age of 77.3 years old) underwent electrical treatment totaling 160-220 coulombs under topical urethral anesthesia for 68-132 min. The catheters remained inside the patient for 7-10 d.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Irreversible destructive changes occurred within cathodal tissue, while carbonization occurred within anodic tissue. The radius of tissue change was 7-8 mm and 1-2 mm, respectively. In vivo trial 11 (69%) patients could be weaned off the catheters with satisfactory urination. Three months after therapy, the mean international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was 14.5, mean peak flow rate was 10.5 ml/s, and mean residual urine was 39 ml. No serious complications were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transurethral electrochemical treatment is potentially a minimally invasive alternative for treatment of BPH, especially for elderly patients at high risk.</p>