Intraprostatic ethanol injection as an alternative therapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a high prevalence worldwide pathology. Amongst its therapeutic options, there are minimally invasive techniques that use locally injected substances (such as ethanol), which produce a chemoablation of this organ.

Objective: The present work aims to evaluate the efficacy of intraprostatic ethanol injection in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Material and methods: A prospective study was carried out, consisting of patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, who were injected with 95% ethanol transrectally, in a 25% prostate volume dose, divided into 3punctures per each lobe. Follow-up time was 12 months.

Results: The procedure was well tolerated. The mean urethrovesical catheter stay time was 10.68 days (CI 8.61-13.75, Range 3-30). The score on the international scale of prostatic symptoms improved by 47.58% (p<0.05) and quality of life by 43.94% (p>0.05); prostatic volume was reduced by 35.03% (p<0.05) as well as the post-voiding residual by 58.61% (p>0.05) The maximum urinary flow was increased by 84.83% (p<0.05). The most frequent side effects were hematuria, irritative symptoms and infection.

Conclusions: Intraprostatic ethanol injection can be an effective, non-surgical alternative in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Keywords: Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Chemoablation; Etanol; Ethanol; Hiperplasia prostática benigna; Injection; Inyección; Prostate; Próstata; Quimioablación; Transrectal.