Minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: the University of Florida experience.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the University of Florida experience with minimally invasive therapies in the surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

BACKGROUND DATA: Typically, the standard surgical treatment for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Due to the morbidity associated with TURP, several minimally invasive therapies, such as laser, microwaves, high intensity focused ultrasound, and radiofrequency needle ablation, have been utilized to treat BPH.

METHODS: The authors review their experience, along with that of others, with various forms of heat therapy in the treatment of BPH.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Although high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), interstitial laser, and microwaves procedures have been shown to be effective in the treatment of BPH, our experience has been with laser, VaporTrode, and TUNA. We found that VaporTrode and TUNA currently offer several advantages over many of the other modalities.