Thermal therapy with water vapor

The Dr. Norberto Bernardo in the Argentine Center of Urology is the urologist certificate in the treatment of enlarged prostate and a pioneer in Argentina in offering the procedure of thermal therapy with water vapor as a treatment for enlarged prostate.

The system of thermal therapy with water vapor is a technique that is minimally invasive, which is indicated to relieve the symptoms, clearing obstructions and reduce the prostate tissue in the treatment of enlarged benign prostate (BPH) greater than 30 grams.

First procedure in Argentina with the system of thermal therapy using steam for the treatment of Benign Prostatic hyperplasia.

The system of thermal therapy with water vapor uses radiofrequency energy to generate thermal energy “wet” in the form of water vapor, which is injected through the urethra in the transition zone of the prostate tissue in controlled doses of 9 seconds.

The steam that is injected into the prostate tissue is rapidly dispersed by the interstitial space between the cells. In contact with the tissue, the steam cools and condenses, releasing heat energy stored, which denatures the cell membranes and cause cell death. The cells so denatured are absorbed by the body, which reduces the volume of prostate tissue adjacent to the urethra. The process of condensation of the vapor also causes a rapid collapse of the vasculature in the treatment area, resulting in an intervention without loss of blood. The reduction in size of the prostate is of 30% at 6 months of treatment is achieved when completing the result.

Advantages

Preserving the male sexual function, without affecting the ejaculation or erection and it does not produce incontinence of urine. Is performed without general anesthesia. It is a fast procedure and minimally invasive (between 30 minutes and an hour). It is a treatment outpatient and hospitalization is not necessary. The recovery is fast. Decreases discomfort with urination and increases the strength of the urinary stream.

Indications

Men with symptoms urinary mild or moderate (Jet weak and choppy, failure to start urination, getting up multiple times a night to urinate, dribbling at the end of urination, urgency, and leakage of urine). Patients who do not deeen take medications that cause side effects such as retrograde ejaculation (dry orgasm). Patients who wish to avoid hospitalization. Patients with prostatas over 30 grams and under 80 grams. Patients who do not tolerate the medication to the prostate.

Effectiveness

Previous studies conducted in the united States with a follow-up of 5 years have shown that the improvement of the symptoms and the increase of the force of the jet is maintained at least during that time and that only 3-5% of cases have required re-treatment after 3 years.

Side effects

The side effects that can be seen are local, low-intensity and disappear in a few days, being the most frequent:

  • Dysuria (difficulty urinating): 18%
  • Hematuria (blood in urine): 11,7%
  • Hematospermia (blood in semen): 6,4%
  • Acute urinary retention: 6%
  • Urgency to urinate: 5%