The aim of this work is to evaluate the initial experience with water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Spanish university hospitals, as well as to describe the differences in technique and follow-up between centers.
This retrospective observational multicenter study collected baseline characteristics, surgical, postoperative and follow-up data at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, including validated questionnaires, flowmetric variations, complications, and the need for pharmacological or surgical treatment following the procedure. Possible triggers for postoperative acute urinary retention (AUR) were also analyzed.
A total of 105 patients were included. No differences were observed between the groups with and without AUR with respect to catheterization time (5 and 4.3 days respectively, p = 0.178), or prostate volume (47.9 gr and 41.4 gr respectively, p = 0.147). The mean improvement at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months in terms of peak flow was 5.3, 5.2, 4.2 and 3.8 ml/s, respectively. As for ejaculation, an improvement was observed after 3 months of follow-up and was maintained over time.
Minimally invasive treatment for BPH with WVTT shows good functional outcomes at 24 months follow-up, without significant impairment of sexual function and a low incidence of complications. There are minor inter-hospital variations, mainly in the immediate postoperative period.
Actas urologicas espanolas. 2023 Jul 07 [Epub ahead of print]
I Schwartzmann, S García Barreras, M D'Anna, V Parejo, I Torneo Ruiz, A C Tagalos Muñoz, A Bravo-Balado, P Diana, L Peri, M Domínguez Esteban, E Fernández Guzmán
Servicio de Urología de la Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: ., Servicio de Urología, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain., Servicio de Urología, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain., Servicio de Urología, Hospital de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta, Gerona, Spain., Servicio de Urología, Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain., Servicio de Urología de la Fundació Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain., Servicio de Urología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecillas, Santander, Spain.