Ján Kliment ml., Boris Eliáš, Ján Ľupták, Ján Švihra
Objective: Transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate (TEAP) is a new promising minimally invasive treatment modality of BPH. In present study we assessed effectiveness and safety of TEAP. Materials and methods: Ten high-risk patients with clinical BPH who failed conservative treatment were enrolled in the study. All of the patients had permanent urinary catheter for more than 5 weeks due to repeated urinary retention and failed at least one trial without catheter. Preoperative prostate volume ranged from 31 - 98 ml (mean 54 ml). Patients underwent TEAP in lumbar anesthesia or intravenous analgesia. Mean volume of ethanol injected was 25 % (16 - 34 %) of calculated prostatic volume. Mean duration of procedure was 20 min (15 - 30 min). Results: Seven out of ten patients were able to void spontaneously after catheter removal. There were no preoperative complications. None of the patients required postoperative analgesia or blood transfusion. Duration of hospitalization was 3 - 5 days. Mean duration of catheterization after procedure was 22 days (7 - 36). Patients were followed 12 months after TEAP. I-PSS, QoL, Qmax and post void residual were recorded during follow-up. There was gradual improvement in I-PSS and Qmax observed from the 3rd to 6th month of the follow-up. I-PSS remained in the range of mild to moderate symptoms. Significant post void residual or acute urinary retention did not occur in patients treated successfully. Prostate volume did not change significantly. Urinary tract infection occurred in two patients in the follow-up period. Conclusions: TEAP is a simple and safe alternative method of BPH treatment with acceptable success rate in selected group of patients. However, preliminary results warrant further studies with regard to diffusion properties of ethanol, reproducibility and long term effects of TEAP.