Prostatic artery embolization for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly patients unfit for surgery: Our initial experience

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safely and efficacy of prostatic artery embolizotion in the management of LUTS secondary to BPH in elderly patients unfit for surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 elderly patients with moderate to severe LUTS/BPH were included in the study and treated with prostatic artery embolization. The patients were evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography (to assess prostate size), IPSS, and PVR urine volume preoperatively and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 76.67 +/- 7.69. The mean prostate volume was 139.8 +/- 81.83 g. The mean preoperative IPSS and PVR were 23 +/- 5.4, and 94.43 +/- 88.94 ml, respectively. The mean operative time was 90 minutes. Only three patients suffered from postoperative complications (two patients suffered from urinary tract infection and one patient had partial penile necrosis). At 6 months follow up, there was a significant reduction in the prostate volume ( 01 +/- 73.65 cc), IPSS (12.5 +/- 3.65), and PVR urine volume (48.64 +/-- 43.55). CONCLUSION: prostatic artery embolization is a safe and effective non-surgical alternative treatment of BPH/LUTS particularly in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities.