Microwave thermotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic urinary retention.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate microwave thermotherapy as a treatment option for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in patients with chronic retention and an indwelling catheter. PATIENTS AND METHODS 24 unselected patients, 53-91 years old (mean age 73 years) with chronic urinary retention and an indwelling catheter were treated with ProstaLund Feedback TreatmentR. Patients had had an indwelling catheter for 1-12 months prior to treatment. ProstaLund Feedback Treatment is an enhanced microwave treatment where the actual intraprostatic temperature is monitored and used to control the microwave power. RESULTS 19 (80%) of the 24 patients were successfully relieved of their indwelling catheter with satisfactory peak flow, residual urine and symptom score. Treatment failed in 5 (20%) out of the 24 cases. The reasons of failure were identified in all 5 cases and indicate that the method may be less suitable in case of a median lobe or large protruding lobes into the bladder. There were no serious complications such as bleeding requiring hospital intervention, sepsis or urine incontinence. Isolated cases of urinary infection occurred. CONCLUSION The satisfying outcome of a 1-hour-long out-patient procedure for this patient category suggests that ProstaLund Feedback Treatment may be a good alternative to surgery for BPH patients with chronic retention and an indwelling catheter.