An update on minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia: Techniques, risks, and efficacy

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in the elderly male population, has conventionally treated by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). During recent years, newer minimally invasive therapies (MITs) have entered the playing field and challenged TURP with their convenience, lack of sexual side effects, and overall safety. The present paper provides an update on the more heavily studied and most recent MITs, analyzing their mechanism of action, tolerability, and efficacy in clinical practice. Particularly, robust clinical data have propelled UroLift and Rezuum to the forefront in the armamentarium of minimally invasive BPH treatment. Newer mechanical therapies such as the temporary implantable nitinol device, ClearRing, ZenFlow Spring, and Butterfly are appealing options as they forego cutting, ablation, heating, or removing prostatic tissue. It is obvious that there is wide variation in the degree of clinical readiness of each modality and only time and long-term, multicenter studies will decide which of these therapies are accepted by the patient and urologist.