Early experience with transurethral needle ablation of large prostates.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transurethral needle ablation (TUNA(R)) performed on benign hyperplastic prostates > 60 gms. Patients and methods: Ten patients with bilobar hyperplasia and without a large middle lobe received one TUNA(R) Treatment. The mean age was 67.5 years (range 56-80) and the mean prostatic weight was 76.89 (range 62-98 gms). Symptom scores, quality of life (QOL), maximum and average flow rates were measured before and 1,3, and 6 months post treatment. RESULTS: After 6 months patients showed mean improvements in symptom scores (19.9 to 12.11), maximum flow rates (8.63 mL/sec to 12.75 mL/sec) and QOL (4.2 to 2.33). Recurrence of symptoms occurred in one patient at 13 months post TUNA(R) and he was retreated. One patient developed urinary retention and received a TURP. CONCLUSIONS: Short term results in this small group of patients indicate that TUNA(R) is a safe technique for individuals with large prostates and in this small group of patients resulted in reduced symptoms, high patient satisfaction and acceptable morbidity.
Sullivan
L. D.
LD
Division of Urology, Prostate Clinic, Department of Surgery, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia.
Paterson
R. F.
RF
Gleave
M. E.
ME
Goldenberg
S. L.
SL
McLoughlin
M. G.
MG
Heaton
J. P. W.
JP