What is Prostatic Artery Embolization?
An alternative to surgery, for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate, is Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE).
It is a minimally invasive technique compared to surgical procedures such as Prostatectomy and Transurethral Resection of the prostate.
Prostatectomy involves the removal of a part or all of the prostate. Transurethral resection of the prostate is a procedure that inserts an instrument in the penis and removes the prostate tissue.
Compared to traditional methods, the PAE procedure helps in shrinking the prostate gland without surgery.
What are the advantages of PAE procedure over traditional surgery?
In comparison to the above-described procedures, PAE has many advantages as enlisted below
- Treatment is done through a pinhole in the wrist or groin and considerably less painful.
- Hospitalization is not required.
- Short recovery period.
- Low risk of urinary incontinence (leakage of urine post-procedure).
- There isn't a requirement to have the indwelling Foley Catheter inserted into the bladder to ensure the drainage of urine.
- Less risk and side effects with your sexual activities like Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Retrograde Ejaculation (entry of semen into the bladder instead of it being directed through the penis).
What happens during Prostatic Artery Embolization procedure?
It is an outpatient procedure, which allows the patient to be discharged the same day. PAE is performed under, conscious sedation and local anesthesia. This helps the patient to not feel the slight discomfort of the procedure. The patient is awake throughout the procedure.
- A small incision is made in the wrist or groin.? A thin tube is inserted into the relevant artery.
- Real-time imaging guides the tube in the artery that leads to the prostate gland.
- Synthetic particles, tinier than sand grains are then injected through this tube within the artery.
- These particles then reduce the blood supply to the prostate, thus shrinking it and relieving the patient of his symptoms.
- Post-procedure care is then recommended by the doctor.
What are the risks associated with PAE treatment?
PAE treatment is known to potentially have the least side effects.
- Although, there may be temporary side effects post the procedure. These comprise painful or recurrent urination and pain in the pelvis.
- Other risks could be an injury to the bladder or other organs located within the pelvic region. Therefore, the intervention of a specialist in the procedure is necessary.
- The doctor is expected to discuss the same at length should the procedure be considered for a BPH patient.
