OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism and feasibility of transurethral electrochemical therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Between March 1998 and March 2000, specifically designed devices and catheters for electrochemical therapy were applied to 6 prostate specimens obtained by suprapubic prostatectomy in order to treat BPH patients with urinary retention for whom surgery was contraindicated. Sixteen patients (with a mean age of 77.3 years old) underwent electrical treatment totaling 160-220 coulombs under topical urethral anesthesia for 68-132 min. The catheters remained inside the patient for 7-10 d. RESULTS: Irreversible destructive changes occurred within cathodal tissue, while carbonization occurred within anodic tissue. The radius of tissue change was 7-8 mm and 1-2 mm, respectively. In vivo trial: 11 (69%) patients could be weaned off the catheters with satisfactory urination. Three months after therapy, the mean international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was 14.5, mean peak flow rate was 10.5 ml/s, and mean residual urine was 39 ml. No serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Transurethral electrochemical treatment is potentially a minimally invasive alternative for treatment of BPH, especially for elderly patients at high risk.
OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism and feasibility of transurethral electrochemical therapy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Between March 1998 and March 2000, specifically designed devices and catheters for electrochemical therapy were applied to 6 prostate specimens obtained by suprapubic prostatectomy in order to treat BPH patients with urinary retention for whom surgery was contraindicated. Sixteen patients (with a mean age of 77.3 years old) underwent electrical treatment totaling 160-220 coulombs under topical urethral anesthesia for 68-132 min. The catheters remained inside the patient for 7-10 d. RESULTS: Irreversible destructive changes occurred within cathodal tissue, while carbonization occurred within anodic tissue. The radius of tissue change was 7-8 mm and 1-2 mm, respectively. In vivo trial: 11 (69%) patients could be weaned off the catheters with satisfactory urination. Three months after therapy, the mean international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was 14.5, mean peak flow rate was 10.5 ml/s, and mean residual urine was 39 ml. No serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Transurethral electrochemical treatment is potentially a minimally invasive alternative for treatment of BPH, especially for elderly patients at high risk.
Authors: Héctor Manuel Camué Ciria; Maraelys Morales González; Lisset Ortíz Zamora; Luis Enrique Bergues Cabrales; Gustavo Victoriano Sierra González; Luciana Oliveira de Oliveira; Rodrigo Zanella; Antonio Carlos Buzaid; Orlando Parise; Luciana Macedo Brito; Cesar Augusto Antunes Teixeira; Marina das Neves Gomes; Gleyce Moreno; Venicio Feo da Veiga; Marcos Telló; Carla Holandino Journal: Chin J Cancer Res Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 5.087