Efficacy of transurethral needle ablation of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of transurethral needle ab lation (TUNA(TM)) of the prostate for treatment of symptomatic benign prost atic hyperplasia (BPH) as one institute participating in a Japanese clinica l trial. Methods: Thirty-three patients with symptomatic BPH were treated with the T UNA(TM) procedure in our institute. The international prostate symptom scor e (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) score, residual urine volume (RV), prostate volume (PV) and peak urinary flow rates (Qmax) were measured and complicat ions were assessed. Results: We followed and evaluated 30 of the 33 cases. At 12 months there w ere significant improvements in the IPSS (20.7 to 11.2, P < 0.0001), QOL sc ore (4.9 to 2.1, P < 0.0001), RV (46.6 to 22.6 mL, P < 0.01), PV (37.8 to 3 0.0 mL(3), P < 0.002) and Qmax (8.00 to 11.0 mL/s, P < 0.002). There were n o serious complications. Conclusion: This trial shows that the TUNA(TM) procedure is a safe and effi cacious treatment for symptomatic BPH.