Prostatic embolization is becoming increasingly important in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia due to the good results being achieved compared to urological surgical techniques.
Since 2015 we have been carrying out, together with the Urology Service and the Navarrabiomed medical research centre, a pioneering clinical trial to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of prostatic embolisation compared to classic surgical treatment (TURP). The clinical trial is completed and shows excellent results from prostatic embolization, with better clinical results than TURP and fewer complications.
Prostate embolization is a minimally invasive procedure, not surgery. Through a puncture in the femoral artery or radial artery of the arm, the prostate arteries are closed with particles called microspheres, first on the left and then the right side. Blockage of the prostatic vessels decreases the size of the prostate and corresponding symptoms improve. The patient must only be admitted one night (the night after the procedure). In case of access by radial artery of the arm, admission is not necessary, and the same afternoon of the procedure can be discharged.
In our study we have shown that 95% of patients achieve an improvement in urinary symptoms caused by prostate hyperplasia. The improvement is already significant within one week of the procedure, and is progressive until 3 months, when maximum improvement is reached. 88% of patients with urinary catheterization who have prostate embolization are without a catheter at 3 weeks. In addition, prostatic embolization does not prevent the subsequent performance of the classical surgical technique (TUR) in patients who have not achieved a significant improvement in symptoms, although it is rare (5-8% of patients).
Because of these successful results that have been obtained in the clinical trial, we believe that prostate embolization is a technique that can replace surgery.
