Transurethral microwave thermotherapy with the Prostatron in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Preliminary results

One hundred and thirty-two patients with bladder outlet obstruction were referred to our prostate unit between October 1990 and July 1991. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) was diagnosed in 118 and transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) was carried out in 109, after informed consent. The following criteria were used for inclusion: Boyarski symptom score ≥8, peak flow rate ≤15 ml/s, residual volume ≤200 ml; patients with indwelling catheter for acute urinary retention were also included. From January 1991, a maximum of 60 watts were delivered, during a single 60 min session, on an outpatient basis. After treatment, an indwelling catheter was placed, in patients referred to us with acute urinary retention, in those unable to void after thermotherapy or when a residual volume of ≥200 ml was found before patient discharge. Three months after treatment a significant improvement in the Boyarski symptom score, from 11.85 ± 4.82 to 4.96 ± 3.08 (p ≤ 0.0001), was found; peak flow rate increased on average from 9.31 ± 3.49 to 12.85 ± 4.65 ml/s (p ≤ 0.0001); post voiding residual volume decreased on average from 127 ± 19.3 to 72 ± 11.2 (p ≤ 0.01). Twelve out of the 15 evaluable patients referred to our prostate unit with acute urinary retention are now able to void the bladder with a modest residual volume. In conclusion, a significant improvement in signs and symptoms related to benign prostatic obstruction was found in our patients after trans-urethral microwave thermotherapy.