Rezum
Lower urinary tract symptoms (STUI) are those caused by the
benign prostatic enlargment (moag other causes).
Up to 70% of the
population aged 50 years and over will experience either obstructive or
irritative symptoms: trouble urinating, weak stream, urgent need or high
frequency, urinary tract infections, nocturia, incomplete voiding…
After some basic
tests, the urologist will provide a treatment, depending on the severity of
symptoms and the test results. Initially the use of medication is usually
sufficient but sometimes a surgical intervention is required or recommended.
Among different
surgical alternatives we have the REZUM, a minimally invasive therapy.
What is it?
A surgical thechnique
performed at an outpatient surgery facility under sedation. It uses water vapor
to shrink the prostate, solving the problems caused by the enlarged gland.
Which are the
indications for this surgery?
It
is very important to select which patients will benefit the most from this
procedure. It is mostly designed for patients with a prostate volume from 30 to
80cc and without severe symptoms or previous complications. It is a good
alternative for patients under medical treatment who want to avoide their side
effects (ejaculation disorders, hypotension…) and improve their quality of
life.
In
summary
-Recommended
for patients with prostatic volume from 30 to 80cc.
-Patients
who wish to avoid the side effects from traditional surgery (erectile
dysfunction, urinary incontinence, ejaculation disorders).
-Patiens who want to
avoid the side effects from medication (diminished libido, ejaculation disorders, dry
mouth, hypotension).
-Patients with comorbidities making the traditional surgery
very risky or contraindicated.
-Patients assume this treatment may not be definitive (may
need another procedure afterwards).
How is it performed?
It is an endoscopic procedure (through the urethra) performed
under desation in an operating room or outpatient facility. It lasts a short
time (up to 20 minutes). The patient is discharged in a few hours with an
urethral catheter which will be removed a week later.
What are the main
advantages?
-Minimally invasive procedure
-Low risk of complications
-Outpatient procedure without general anesthesia
-Short surgical time
-Does not generate incontinence or erectile dysfunction
-Preserves ejaculation in most patients
-Alternative to pharmacological treatment
-Symptom improvement
within two weeks
-Usually the maximum
therapeutic benefit is after 3 months
-Good post-surgical tolerance: mild urinary symptoms
(urgency, itching) that disappear gradually within 3 weeks in 93% of patients
