Needle ablation using radio frequency current as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: experimental results in ex vivo human prostate.

Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate using low level radiofrequency (RF) energy was investigated in a human ex vivo model. RF power applications at a variety of power levels for various treatment times elicited marked thermal lesions of consistent sizes in prostatic adenomas. Tissue temperature was found to be the fundamental lesioning parameter. Lesions were created whenever tissue temperature exceeded 45 degrees C. Lesion size correlated with RF power delivery and electrode length. Monitoring of the tissue impedance assisted in controlling efficacious lesioning. RF power applications of 5-7.5 W for 3 min are suggested as the 'ideal' setting to treat human prostatic adenomas, taking into consideration the lesion size and time to achieve ablative temperatures.