Effect of Transurethral Ethanol Injection of Prostate for Recurrent Urinary Retention in Patients with a Poor Performace Status

Cho, Young Ha; Lee, Kyung Seop

Abstract

PURPOSE: The goal of this study is to show the effect of Transurethral Ethanol Ablation of Prostate(TEAP) on voiding symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between May 2003 and May 2005, 17 patients diagnosed with BPH who were not appropriate candidates for anesthesia because of their poor general condition underwent TEAP and were evaluated. Ethyl alcohol(99%) was injected into the prostate with endoscopic guidance. A urethral catheter was inserted postoperatively. All patients were evaluated with uroflowmetry, postvoid residual urine, international prostatic symptom score(IPSS), and quality of life at 3 months post-operatively.
RESULTS
The mean total alcohol dose was 9.5 cc, and a catheter was required for a mean of 4.8 days postoperatively. The subjects' mean International prostate symptom score was 29.9 points before TEAP, and decreased to 24.5 points after 3 months(p=0.001). Mean quality of life index decreased from 4.2 points before TEAP to 3.1 points after 3 months(p=0.002). There were no major complications such as severe bleeding, incontinence, or urethral injury. However, 7 patients needed additional medication to improve voiding symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
TEAP caused minimal complications while improving the international prostate symptom score and quality of life. TEAP may be considered an effective minimally invasive treatment option for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who are not appropriate for anesthesia because of their poor general condition.