Aim
Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is an approved treatment for men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH-LUTS). Evidence of efficacy for PAE in patients who are unable to void urine spontaneously is scant, however. Traditional treatments for BPH-LUTS have evidence in retention patients and this series aims to report outcomes for PAE in catheterised patients.
Method
The records of consecutive men with BPH-LUTS which required either an indwelling bladder catheter or clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) who subsequently underwent PAE were retrospectively reviewed. Basic demographics were collected along with information on the prostate volume and PAE procedure specifics. The primary outcome was whether patients were catheter/CISC free at 3 months. Other outcomes include complications, use of medications and the need for other surgical treatments post-PAE.
Results
63 men underwent PAE for urinary retention and BPH-LUTS between 2013 and 2020. Of these, 7 underwent a unilateral embolisation for aberrant anatomy. The mean prostate volume was 128ml. 61% of men were free from a catheter/CISC post-treatment. 4 patients suffered post-PAE UTI, whilst 3 patients subsequently underwent Transurethral Resection of the Prostate following PAE for failure to become catheter free. 13 men were entirely free from BPH-LUTS medications.
Conclusions
PAE for catheterised men results in a similar catheter-free rate post procedure to several more invasive BPH treatments. It has a low side-effect profile and gives men with poor health an option to try to become catheter free. PAE should be discussed with men with catheters as a treatment option.
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