Non- Surgical treatment for Enlarged Prostate or Bph.

Prostatic artery embolization is a minimally invasive medical procedure to treat symptomatically enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia - a condition that causes the prostate gland to enlarge and obstruct the urethra. Symptomatically enlarged prostate leads to difficulty in urinating, urinary urgency, and frequent urination.

During PAE, tiny particles are injected into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate gland, causing the blood vessels to narrow and reducing the blood flow to the gland. This causes the prostate tissue to shrink and relieves the symptoms of BPH. PAE is typically performed as an outpatient or daycare procedure done by an interventional radiologist in cath lab. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgical treatments for BPH.

Why and when PAE is recommended?

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is recommended as a treatment option for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who have moderate to severe symptoms that are not effectively managed with medication. BPH is a common condition that causes the prostate gland to enlarge and obstruct the urethra, leading to symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urinary urgency, and frequent urination.

PAE is recommended when medication and other non-invasive treatments have failed to improve symptoms or when surgery is not an option due to the patient's medical history or preference. PAE is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical treatments for BPH, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate (HoLEP), which involves removing part of the prostate gland.

PAE is a safe and effective procedure that can provide long-lasting relief of BPH symptoms. It has been shown to improve urinary symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function in men with BPH, with a shorter recovery time compared to surgery.

How is PAE different from the conventional treatment?

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for BPH that is different from conventional treatments such as TURP, HoLEP, and open prostatectomy.
Here are some of the key differences between PAE and conventional treatments:

• Minimally Invasive: PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require any incisions in the body. In contrast, conventional treatments such as TURP and open prostatectomy involve making incisions in the body to remove part of the prostate gland.

• Anesthesia: PAE can be performed under local anesthesia or conscious sedation, while conventional treatments usually require general anesthesia.

• Daycare procedure and quicker recovery: PAE is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means that patients can go home the same day. In contrast, conventional treatments usually require an overnight hospital stay and a longer recovery time.

• No risk of bleeding: PAE does not carry the risk of bleeding or infection that is associated with surgical incisions.

• Sexual function: PAE is less likely to cause sexual side effects compared to conventional treatments. In fact, PAE has been shown to improve sexual function in some men with BPH.

Overall, PAE is a safe and effective alternative to conventional treatments for BPH. It can provide long-lasting relief of BPH symptoms with minimal risk of complications and a shorter recovery time.

How is life after PAE?

For many men, life after prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is improved, with relief of symptoms and improved quality of life. PAE is a minimally invasive procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that has been shown to be effective in improving urinary symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life.