As medical technology advances, treatment options for BPH are expanding. While surgery was often perceived as burdensome in the past, various treatment methods are now being discussed based on patient health status, lifestyle, and prostate condition.
In fact, several BPH treatment methods are being utilized in clinical practice, including UroLift, HoLEP surgery, waterjet robotic surgery, iTind procedure, and Rezum procedure is also known as one of the BPH treatment methods.
Rezum procedure is a minimally invasive treatment method that delivers heat energy to hyperplastic prostate tissue using high-temperature, high-pressure steam. It's performed by accessing through the urethra without incision, applying thermal stimulation to lesions inside the prostate.
The procedure time is generally reported to be around 10 minutes. Before the procedure, the size, location, and hyperplastic pattern of the prostate are confirmed through urethral cystoscopy, and the treatment range is set from the bladder neck. Subsequently, steam is injected using special instruments, causing heat damage to hyperplastic tissue, and tissue changes are known to progress over time.
This process is described as a method focused on minimizing damage to normal tissue. Cases of observed changes in urination symptoms have been reported. Particularly, implementation cases have been introduced in middle-aged and older patients with prostate sizes of about 30-80g. Additionally, there are cases where it's performed under local anesthesia, with application being considered for patients who have difficulty with general anesthesia. After the procedure, patients go through a process of maintaining a urinary catheter for a certain period before returning to daily life.
Some compare Rezum procedure with HoLEP surgery. HoLEP surgery is a method that directly removes prostate tissue, performed for improving urination symptoms. In contrast, Rezum procedure is a method that induces prostate tissue changes using heat energy, with differences in procedural approach. The two treatment methods are known to have different characteristics in surgical method, recovery process, and adverse effect patterns.
However, like all treatments, there are considerations for Rezum procedure. Due to the characteristic use of special disposable equipment, cost burden may occur. Additionally, it may take some time for tissue changes and absorption due to steam to progress, so immediate symptom changes may not appear right after the procedure. In cases where symptoms are very severe or prostate hyperplasia is large, other surgical treatments may be discussed.
Ultimately, in BPH treatment, it's important to comprehensively consider individual patient symptom severity, prostate condition, and overall health status. Since BPH clinical manifestations differ for each patient, having medical staff explain the characteristics and limitations of each treatment method and establishing a treatment plan based on this is mentioned as an important element of the treatment process.
Written by: Director Ryu Je-man, Goldman Urology Clinic Seoul Station