Perspective on the Rezūm® System: a minimally invasive treatment strategy for benign prostatic hyperplasia using convective radiofrequency water vapor thermal therapy

Abstract

Henry H Woo,1 Ricardo R Gonzalez2 1Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia; 2Houston Metro Urology, Houston, TX, USA Abstract: Convective radiofrequency (RF) water vapor thermal therapy is a minimally invasive office or outpatient procedure for the treatment of bothersome moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It provides an option for patients seeking rapid and durable relief of urinary symptoms, improved quality of life, and preservation of sexual function as an alternative to long-term use of drugs and avoidance of the potential side effects of pharmaceuticals or invasive BPH surgery. The procedure is also applicable for the treatment of the median lobe or elevated bladder neck from central zone hyperplasia. This perspective presents a comprehensive overview of the Rezūm® System convective RF thermal therapy device, the principles upon which it is based, the operative procedure, and the clinical evidence accrued to this point in time. Keywords: prostate, prostatic hyperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, thermal therapy, minimally invasive procedure

Keywords

• prostate
• prostatic hyperplasia
• lower urinary tract symptoms
• thermal therapy
• minimally invasive procedure