(TURF) TRANSURETHRAL RADIOFREQUENCY HEATING FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES WITH THERMEX-II-(R) - CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE

In 2 years, 191 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) were treated by transurethral radiofrequency heating of the pro state at various temperatures (44.5 and 47-48-degrees-C) in one sessio n. At 44.5-degrees-C, 60% of the patients were subjectively improved a nd 71 % at 47-48-degrees-C. 58% of the patients in retention were cath eter free after treatment. The mean increase in the peak flow was not significant in spite of the temperature used. A subjective improvement is obviously demonstrated by the significant decrease in the overall symptom score and essentially by the reduction in the irritative sympt oms such as nocturia and urgency. This new alternative approach may pl ay a meaningful role in the symptomatic management of selected patient s with BPH.