Enlarged Prostate among men can be treated without surgery, through Prostatic Artery Embolization

Almost fifty percent of the men over 60 years suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia, (BPH) commonly known as enlarged prostrate. The symptoms are higher urinary frequency, urgency, leaking, hesitance, interrupted and/or decreased urinary stream.

Some of the men who have an enlarged prostrate also have sexual dysfunction, the common symptom being ejaculation disorders and impotence.

Most men, who have an enlarged prostate, resort to surgery, commonly known in medical practice as Prostatectomy. If the prostate volume is small, ie. 60 to 80 ml, the prostatectomy may be performed through the urethra that is called as TURP. If the prostate is larger, open surgery has to be resorted to. Both the methods can have significant complications.

Efforts were made to treat the patient though minimum invasive treatment, and minimise patient discomfort and morbidity. The procedure is known as Prostatic arterial embolisation (PAE). It is the latest non-surgical technique, which is safe and effective. PAE is usually a painless procedure and most patients are discharged three to eight hours after the procedure.

This will reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostrate. The advantage of this procedure is that there is no surgery scar, early discharge, early ambulation, and in most of the cases there is no need for catheterisation, or putting urine pipe into urethra.

Normally, before the procedure, an MRI or ultrasound of the prostrate is done by the surgeon to evaluate the rate of urine flow. A blood test is also needed to ensure a safe procedure.

During the procedure, a small catheter is placed via an artery in the groin into the arteries that supply the prostate. Very small particles are injected into the prostate arteries to decrease blood supply to the prostate, thus reducing the blood supply and symptoms.

Most often patients are discharged from the hospital three hours after the procedure, but sometimes it may be necessary for the patients to stay overnight. It is a routine practice to NOT place a catheter via the penis.

There is usually no need for general anesthesia, but it may be advisable for some patients who do not want to experience anything during the procedure. The procedure is not considered painful and some patients elect to have no sedation.

You should have a treatment for enlarged prostate, If you have the following symptoms:

1. Frequent urination at night; 2. Frequent urination that often produces only a small amount of urine; 3. Hesitant or interrupted urine stream; 4. Leaking or dribbling urine; 5. Sudden and urgent need to urinate; 6; Weak urine stream; 7.Feeling like the bladder is not completely empty after urinating; Occasional pain when urinating; 9 Having to rush to the bathroom suddenly after urge to urinate and 10 .Sometimes complete obstruction and you are not able to pass urine.

If you are anywhere near the Capital, you could consult me, Dr Virender Sheorain , an Interventional Radiologist and Endovascular specialist at the Medanta Hospital Gurgaon for a initial consultation or a second opinion.

Dr. V. Sheorain can be contacted at virender.sheorain@medanta.org. (ANI)

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