Topic Overview
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) is used to treat an
enlarged prostate gland ()
with a needle-shaped device that delivers heat to very precise areas of the
prostate. The device is inserted up the
inside a tube (catheter) that protects other
tissues from being burned. The heat destroys specific areas that are blocking
the flow of urine out of the bladder. This relieves BPH symptoms. The procedure
does not require an overnight stay in the hospital but does require a
. And usually a sedative is given to
make you drowsy.
One study notes that after 1 year, TUNA reduced
the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index by
13 points while
reduced
it by 15 points.1 But TUNA was associated with fewer
complications than TURP.2
Needle ablation
has minimal complications, the most common being an inability to urinate
(urinary retention) in the first 24 hours after surgery and pain while
urinating. Sexual ability is generally not affected.1
The main advantages of this treatment
are:
- It can be done without an overnight stay in the
hospital.
- It has a short recovery time, although the symptoms may
take longer to improve.
- It has minimal side effects.
The main disadvantages of this treatment are:
- You are more likely to need another surgery for BPH later.3
- It may not work well for men with large
prostates.
References
Citations
Fitzpatrick JM (2007). Minimally invasive and
endoscopic management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In AJ Wein, ed.,
Campbell-Walsh Urology, 9th ed., vol. 3. pp. 2803–2844.
Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
Webber R (2006). Benign prostatic hyperplasia, search
date May 2005. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence.
Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Lourenco T, et al. (2008). Minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic enlargement: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 337(7676): a1662–a1669.