Rezum: a novel transurethral water vapor therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

BackgroundBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate gland enlarges and is mostly observed in men over 50 years of age. It is characterized by glandular proliferation resulting in prostatic hyperplasia. Lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of BPH include urinary frequency, urgency, trouble starting a urine stream, a weak or interrupted urine stream, dribbling at the end of urination, nocturia, and urinary retention [1] . BPH is not cancerous but if left untreated, it can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder and kidney damage, and eventually death. Throughout the past 3 decades, there has been a significant decline in mortality rates for deaths linked to BPH. This is probably due to advances in the standard of care provided to patients with the condition [2] .A variety of tests are available to diagnose BPH including digital rectal examination, urinalysis, prostate-specific antigen blood test, urodynamic tests including uroflowmetry, postvoid residual measurement, and reduced urine flow. Other advance diagnostic tools include cystoscopy, transrectal ultrasound, and biopsy. Advantages of Rezum therapyRezum therapy has the advantage of being a relatively quick procedure. It typically takes less than an hour to complete. The