Outpatient, Quick Recovery, Few Complications
Benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy/prostatic obstruction (BPH) – commonly referred to as “enlarged prostate” – is a benign condition common in men over 45. Symptoms vary but may include slow urinary stream, straining to urinate, increased urinary frequency, urgency to urinate, incomplete emptying of the bladder and intermittent flow or dribbling.
Mark Massak, MD
Dr. Mark Massak of WellSpan Chambersburg Vascular and Interventional Radiology said the cause is not known, but it is thought to be related to testosterone hormones. He said untreated BPH can lead to urinary tract infections, backup of urine causing bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. Occasionally, patients are unable to urinate and require a catheter in the bladder.
“Medication is usually the first treatment for BPH,” said Massak. “If obstructive symptoms do not improve significantly or resolve, some patients need to have a procedure to resolve their symptoms.”
He said prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is among treatments offered by WellSpan Chambersburg Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
“This is for patients looking for a minimally invasive procedure to reduce their BPH symptoms,” he said. “Having a PAE does not prevent patients from having transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in the future, if necessary.”
Massak said the procedure takes about two hours, is done under moderate sedation and is done as an outpatient procedure.
“Patients do not need to stay in the hospital after the procedure. I usually use the artery in the wrist, which results in a quicker recovery time than using the artery in the groin. Patients are not required to have a catheter in the bladder after the procedure. We watch patients for anywhere between two and six hours immediately after the procedure.
“Most people feel a little tired and have some pelvic cramping for a few days after the procedure. They may initially have a few days of increased frequency/urgency, burning on urination and blood in the urine. We advise patients to take it easy for a few days after the procedure.”
PAE is less invasive, has a faster recovery and has lower rates of major and minor complications while still providing significant relief of symptoms.
“We see the patients in the office about four weeks after the procedure, then they continue following up with their urologist normally after that,” Massak said.
Benefits last about ten years, after which the procedure can be repeated or other procedures explored.
“We first evaluate the patients referred to us in the office, discuss the procedure and risks with the patient, answer all their questions and provide them with the information and instructions needed for the procedure,” he said.
“Patients are scheduled for their procedure usually within one to two weeks after the office appointment. We schedule these procedures for first thing in the morning, and patients are usually ready to go home around lunch time.”
“We also provide metastatic prostate cancer biopsies. Patients can expect to encounter friendly, knowledgeable, professional and responsive staff – the hallmark of WellSpan Health across its disciplines. We have a very experienced team that provides excellent care.”