(August 10th 2023) One in four men over the age of 40 in Ireland will suffer from an enlarged prostate gland. In medical terms this is referred to as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and in simpler terms an enlarged prostate*.
Earlier this week, a team led by Consultant Urologist Professor Rustom Manecksha carried out a new type of minimally invasive procedure treating BPH in the Reeves Day Surgery Centre at Tallaght University Hospital.
Professor Rustom Manecksha, Consultant Urologist who carried out the procedures commented “This week we have provided an alternative treatment for what is a common medical problem. Our hospital and in particular the urology service has a long tradition of innovation, the introduction of this new therapy is a welcome addition to the number of ways we can treat an enlarged prostate, many of which are minimally invasive. This means our patients spend less time in hospital and have a shorter recovery time so they can get back to living their lives.”
The innovative treatment (Rezūm) uses water vapour therapy to target and shrink the excess prostate tissue. When the steam contacts the prostate tissue the stored energy is release into the tissue. In time the body absorbs the treated tissue, reducing the size of the prostate. This relieves the urinary obstruction and improves urinary flow.
During the procedure, a specialised device is directed to deliver small bursts of heated water vapor directly into the prostate tissue. The treated tissue is then gradually reabsorbed by the body, reducing the size of the prostate and easing the symptoms for the patient. It is typically performed as a day procedure, using sedation or a short general anaesthetic.
It is a new and alternative treatment option, which adds to the options already offered, including UroLift, which the Urology team in TUH introduced in 2019. Plasma vaporisation and bipolar prostate resection, Rezūm is a new and effective alternative to traditional surgical treatments for BPH, providing patients with symptom relief with minimal side effects and a quicker recovery time.
*When the prostate becomes enlarged it places pressure on the bladder and urethra (the tube that urine passes through). This can cause dribbling at the end passing urine, often feeling like the bladder has not fully emptied, needing to go to the toilet often even during the night leaving you feeling tired. If it is ignored and not treated it can lead to bigger problems with the kidneys and the bladder.
About Professor Rustom Manecksha Consultant Urological Surgeon at TUH, and Clinical Associate Professor, Trinity College, Dublin, Rustom learnt to perform UroLift when he worked in Australia in a centre involved in a multinational trial of the UroLift device and subsequently introduced the procedure to the Hospital. He is a graduate of the School of Medicine in UCD. He completed his basic and higher surgical training in Ireland before embarking on a sub-specialty Fellowship in Melbourne, Australia. He has a special interest in endourology, kidney stone disease, BPH and minimal access renal surgery. He is a keen researcher and has an active clinical research profile.
