The 15 years' study results suggest that taking S. repens plant extract continuously at a daily dose of 320 mg is an effective and safe way to prevent the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
We retrospectively reviewed all patients that underwent SPT placement at our institution from 2008-2015. We identified 68 patients that received SPTs for radiation-induced urethral strictures and had a minimum of 6 months follow-up. Patient and stricture characteristics were recorded.RESULTS: Among 68 patients with radiation-induced urethral strictures who underwent SPT placement at our institution, 31/68 (46%) chose to continue with a chronic SPT whereas 37/68 (54%) elected to subsequently undergo urethral reconstruction. Patients electing a chronic SPT were slightly older than those undergoing reconstruction (72.9 years versus 70.1 years, p ¼ 0.16), but otherwise shared similar characteristics. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at time of initial presentation was reported by 22/31 (71%) patients and resolved after SPT placement in 9/22 (41%) patients. The majority of patients (16/31 (51.2%)) managed with a chronic SPT reported no side effects. Development of bladder stones occurred in 7/31 (22.6%) patients and 12/31 (38.7%) patients reported irritative bladder symptoms, the majority of whom (7/12 (58.3%)) had radiation-induced cystitis. Five patients with refractory radiation cystitis ultimately underwent ileal conduit urinary diversion for their symptoms.CONCLUSIONS: Chronic SPT can be a successful initial management strategy for refractory radiation-induced urethral strictures in patients unwilling to undergo open urethral reconstruction. SPT is overall well tolerated and can resolve incontinence in nearly half of patients.
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