title: Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA) in the treatment of chronic urinary retention.
abstract: The transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) of the prostate was performed in 8 patients in chronic urinary retention, all of whom were a poor surgical risk. A special catheter device was used to deliver low-level radiofrequency energy to heat tissue within the prostate to 100 degrees C. After treatment, uroflowmetry, symptom score and quality of life score were evaluated. Tolerance of the procedure with topical anesthesia was satisfactory. Of the 8 patients, 6 (75%) resumed voiding within a mean time of 9.2 days (range 1-21). The mean maximal flow rate was 9.8 +/- 3.2 ml/s (range 5.9-14). Failure to void was associated with a decompensated detrusor function. We conclude that TUNA is effective for patients with urinary retention due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. It seems particularly suitable for treating elderly patients with a high surgical risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000532:radiotherapy*