THERMAL PROTECTION OF URETHRA DURING CRYOSURGERY OF PROSTATE

Cryoablation of the prostate requires adequate thermal protection of t he urethra. This study describes a simple urethral warming device as w ell as a method of use with components readily available in hospital o perating facilities. An initial clinical study as well as tests in an animal model both indicate that the use of this thermal protection dev ice can effectively protect the urethra during the cryosurgical proces s. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.