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What is the Rezum Procedure For BPH?

By Bryan Perry
August 29, 2023
What is the Rezum Procedure For BPH

Delving into ‘What is the Rezum Procedure For BPH’ offers insight into modern solutions for common lower urinary tract symptoms prevalent among middle-aged men. While traditional methods like watchful waiting, lifestyle changes, and medication—including prostate herbs—remain effective, the Rezum procedure emerges as a game-changer. This minimally invasive approach uses water vapour-released thermal energy to precisely treat prostate tissue. Its notable advantage lies in its reduced risk of sexual dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation, making it a potential standout alternative to the conventional transurethral resection (TURP).

What is the rezum procedure?

Rezum is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes thermal energy in water vapor to treat an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The treatment takes place in-office without needing general anesthesia. Patients are recommended to bring a driver for transport after their procedure. Prior to beginning treatment, patients are instructed to empty their bladder completely; any urine remaining after this step must be drained off to avoid bladder damage during the procedure. Local anesthesia is administered to reduce any discomfort. After inserting a small device and activating its needle to administer nine-second treatments into the prostate gland. The vapor disperses between the prostate cells and cools to release its thermal energy, disabling cell membranes and killing them while decreasing symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate such as frequent urination, urge to urinate, weak/thin flow and straining during urination.

Following the procedure, a catheter will be inserted into the urethra to allow urine to leave the body. The catheter may remain in place for two to five days and patients should see their physician within the first few days to remove and monitor its effectiveness; additionally they should continue taking any oral medication or over-the-counter painkillers as directed.

Rezum clinical studies demonstrate its efficacy at alleviating urinary symptoms related to BPH. IPSS scores significantly improved across many men with different prostate sizes and previous surgical treatments such as TURP surgery; and its use proved safe, convenient, and cost-effective.

Rezum was developed specifically for treating BPH using water vapor technology, and received FDA approval in 2015. Urology San Antonio is one of the few locations across the nation offering this revolutionary therapy. One-time Rezum treatments have proven more effective than pharmaceutical medications while being less invasive than surgery resulting in faster recovery times with reduced side effects like erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation.

How is the rezum procedure performed?

The Rezum procedure is a minimally invasive treatment available at your doctor’s office and administered with local anesthesia, taking less than 30 minutes and leaving you ready to return home shortly thereafter. A physician will first inject local anesthesia directly into the prostate area through its urethra before inserting the Rezum device through its urethra to start treating you. Once implanted, this device releases small bursts of thermal energy that penetrate into prostate tissue, shrinking its size while relieving symptoms simultaneously.

Treatment for BPH with this procedure is safe and without side effects; in fact, many patients report significant improvements in their symptoms just weeks post-procedure – an advantage over other BPH treatment options.

Rezum not only offers instantaneous relief from BPH symptoms, but it can also significantly decrease your risk of urinary tract infections and other serious complications. Furthermore, this procedure may help save money on medications as you no longer rely on them to manage symptoms – and possibly save even further with its ability to help avoid costly surgeries and invasive procedures such as urologic surgeries.

If you are interested in Rezum treatment, please schedule an appointment with one of our urologists. We specialize in helping men find effective solutions to their urological symptoms – Botox for OAB, Interstim neuromodulation, Rezum and prostatectomy are among our many effective therapies and have already helped many men live happier lives thanks to us! Our dedicated urologists have already helped many overcome their issues and enjoy improved quality of life thanks to us!

The Rezum procedure is an innovative, non-invasive treatment option for BPH. This short in-office procedure utilizes natural energy stored in water drops to shrink your prostate and restore normal urine flow, without surgery or incisions needed – an ideal choice for men looking for alternatives to medication for their symptoms or cannot tolerate its side effects.

What are the risks of the rezum procedure?

There is now an innovative minimally invasive procedure called Rezum available to treat BPH that’s both safe and effective – its goal being the reduction of extra prostate tissue that causes urinary flow issues.

Your doctor will conduct several tests to assess if Rezum is right for you. They’ll collect a urine sample, take your blood pressure measurement, discuss current medications and medical history as well as observe your prostate with a speculum and take measurements using flow rate bladder scan or ultrasound technology for better viewing of its progress.

Once your urologist has determined that you are an ideal candidate for surgery, they will use local anesthetic to numb your penis and area around the prostate gland with local anesthetic. This takes approximately 20 minutes without needing general anesthesia; after which time, you should be able to return home after several hours and resume most activities normally. A catheter will also be inserted into your bladder for several days postoperatively in order to drain urine into a bag on your leg which will be covered by pants – another step toward freedom of choice.

The Rezum device harnesses thermal energy stored in water vapor (steam). This allows it to precisely heat and treat enlarged prostate tissue. When steam touches obstruction-causing prostate cells, its thermal energy is released causing cells to die and shrink while opening up urethras for improved urine flow and relieving symptoms within weeks; in clinical studies patients saw improvement within just two weeks!

Though TURP surgery remains the gold standard for treating BPH, management has increasingly turned toward minimally invasive technologies like Rezum due to their positive outcomes and reduced side effects. Common complaints reported by patients include dysuria, hematureuria and frequency; which typically subside within several weeks of starting treatment.

Rezum procedure is performed in-office without general anesthesia, allowing many patients to return to regular activity immediately following treatment.

What are the benefits of the rezum procedure?

Rezum Water Vapor Therapy is an innovative non-surgical BPH treatment option available right in your doctor’s office. Using water vapor, this procedure uses it to reduce an enlarged prostate size while improving urinary symptoms – and has proven successful at providing significant symptom relief while still preserving urine flow and erectile function. For patients looking for alternatives to medication that don’t cause side effects this therapy could be the perfect option!

The Rezum procedure is minimally invasive and performed under sedation or local anesthesia without needing hospital stay. Most times the entire procedure can be finished in 30 minutes or less and is more comfortable and quicker than surgical options such as laser surgery and transurethral resection.

Patients typically see a significant reduction in symptoms within just weeks following treatment for BPH, and results can last up to two years after. Studies have demonstrated this.

As opposed to medications, the Rezum procedure does not lead to significant adverse events like hypotension, erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. Patients will require using a catheter post-procedure, however. When they no longer experience urinary problems or can urinate on their own without assistance then the catheter will be removed from use.

Rezum procedures offer many advantages for doctors. It can be performed quickly and effortlessly in a urologist’s office without general anesthesia, and patients are free to return home following the visit. Furthermore, most insurance policies cover it.

American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for BPH have recommended Rezum therapy as an alternative to TURP surgery for treating LUTS while maintaining erectile and urinary function in men with prostates less than 80cc. According to these AUA Guidelines, men who opt for Rezum therapy could experience better outcomes, lower retreatment rates, less costly care and decreased retreatment rates with this new technology. It should also be noted that men with higher IPSS scores (a measure of BPH symptoms) will likely see even greater improvement in symptoms from using Rezum therapy than using this new technology alone.

Author

  • Michael Gonzales

    Michael has a diverse set of skills and passions, with a full-time career as an airline pilot and a dedicated focus on health and fitness consulting. He understands the importance of balancing a busy lifestyle with maintaining a healthy mind and body, and is committed to helping others achieve the same success. Michael's expertise in health and fitness is not just limited to physical training, but also extends to nutrition, stress management, and overall wellbeing. He takes a holistic approach to health and fitness, helping clients to achieve their goals in a sustainable and fulfilling way. With a strong desire to inspire and motivate others, Michael is always ready to share his time and knowledge with those who seek his guidance. Whether in the air or on the ground, Michael is dedicated to helping others live their best lives.

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