Prostate cryoablation using direct transperineal placement of ultrathin probes through a 17-gauge brachytherapy template-technique and preliminary results.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a new surgical approach to third-generation cryoablation of the prostate and present our preliminary results.


METHODS
The technique is detailed and demonstrated in a Web-based video- clip tutorial. Ninety-two men underwent prostate cryoablation (71 primary ablations, 19 salvage procedures, and 2 repeated cryoablations), using direct transperineal placement of ultrathin probes through a 17-gauge brachytherapy template.


RESULTS
No fistulous or major complications were observed. Eight patients (8.3%) had minor complications. In 36 patients, the follow-up period was long enough to permit nadir prostate-specific antigen (PSA) evaluation. In 31 (86%), the nadir PSA was 0.5 ng/mL or less. In 5 patients, the nadir PSA was greater than 0.5 ng/mL. The workup revealed systemic failure in 3 patients and inadequate eradication of the prostate gland in 2 patients. In 18 (86%) of 21 androgen-ablation-naive patients, the nadir PSA was 0.5 ng/mL or less. Nine (43%) had an undetectable nadir PSA and 3 had a nadir PSA of greater than 0.5 ng/mL.


CONCLUSIONS
A modified, less-invasive approach to cryoablation of the prostate is presented. The preliminary results do not show an increased rate of complications compared with other published series. The clinical outcome data are preliminary. Longer follow-up data are required to draw conclusions concerning efficacy.
Zisman
A
A
Division of Urologic Oncology, Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Pantuck
A J
AJ
Cohen
J K
JK
Belldegrun
A S
AS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen