What is Water Vapor Therapy?
The Advanced Center for Enlarged Prostate at Instituto Cavalcanti is one of the first centers in Brazil to make available the new technique for treating enlarged prostate.
A modern technology that provides controlled and targeted doses of thermal energy released by water vapor to the prostate tissue. In addition, water vapor is spread to the prostate cells, which are killed and eliminated by the body, reducing the size of this gland.
This method is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is also known as an enlarged prostate. The new technique is very effective, less invasive and does not require hospitalization.
This procedure allows for an effective treatment, preserving ejaculation in up to 93% of men, unlike existing techniques. Incidentally, scientific studies with a 5-year follow-up, with a large number of patients, showed a persistent improvement in symptoms over the follow-up time.
It is worth contextualizing that this randomized controlled study, which lasted four years, followed approximately 197 patients. That said, the effectiveness and safety of Water Vapor Therapy is proven to improve urinary symptoms, increase maximum urinary flow (stream is stronger), and with it, an improved quality of life.
Who is Water Vapor Therapy indicated for?
The technique can be recommended for all men who have symptoms of an enlarged prostate and for those patients at high surgical risk, as it is minimally invasive.
The symptoms of BPH are:
- Weak or interrupted urinary stream;
- Need to urinate frequently;
- Sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- Need to get up at night to urinate;
- Difficulty initiating urination;
- Drip after urination and interrupted urinary stream, and can also be recommended even for patients with high surgical risk, as it is a minimally invasive technique.
Ideal candidates for this type of treatment are those with prostates between 30 and 80 grams.
What are the advantages of this treatment over other techniques?
- Has no effects on sexual function: the technique does not interfere with erection, libido and does not cause loss of ejaculation in the patient;
- Patients are free from prostate drugs and their side effects: this procedure emerged as an alternative to the use of prostate medications. After all, it has already been proven that there are important effects caused by medicines, such as sexual dysfunction, which leads to loss of libido and ejaculation;
- Security: the method is among the safest techniques that exist for treating an enlarged prostate. There is no risk of major bleeding, therefore, it remains a very viable alternative, even for high-risk patients for other types of more invasive procedures;
- Does not require hospitalization: this intervention is minimally invasive, which is why it is carried out at the Cavalcanti Institute's Advanced Prostate Center;
- Does not cause stenosis (narrowing) of the urethra: the treatment is among the methods with the lowest risk of stenosis/narrowing of the urethra because it is a minimally invasive procedure, which uses thin-caliber equipment, without causing violation of the urethra, as occurs in conventional techniques;
- Without cuts: it is done through the urinary canal, with fine-caliber equipment, with a little sedation. In fact, the patient is released home soon after the technique is performed;
- Does not cause urinary incontinence: there is no risk of causing urinary incontinence, unlike other more invasive procedures;
- Less pain and discomfort in the postoperative period: the method usually generates minimal discomfort and pain in the postoperative period, when compared to other surgical techniques;
- Quick return to physical activities: this intervention allows the patient a faster return to physical activities, when compared to other surgeries. In general, the individual returns to his routine after 10 days of the procedure;
How is the procedure performed?
The technique is simple, fast and safe. At the Cavalcanti Institute's Advanced Prostate Center, the patient is sedated, monitored by an anesthesiologist, so that he does not feel any pain during the entire procedure.
The equipment uses one of nature's simplest elements (water vapour) to promote the elimination of enlarged prostate cells. It is through controlled doses of thermal energy that the steam is directed to the prostate cells.
Thus, these cells end up being reabsorbed by the body itself, reducing the size of the organ and promoting improved urinary flow.
Symptom relief is progressive, it happens over days and weeks. In addition, the patient starts to have an improvement in the urinary flow and all the other symptoms resulting from the obstruction of the urine output caused by BPH.
How is the recovery?
Recovery after the procedure is very smooth. After the intervention, the patient is released to his home with a companion. However, it is important to follow certain recommendations, such as rest. However, there are no restrictions for small activities at home.
The return to work usually occurs between 4 to 7 days after the procedure. The pain after the intervention, when it happens, is very discreet and resolves with analgesics.
Furthermore, it is recommended that the patient maintain the use of prostate medication in the first weeks after surgery. Having symptoms such as urinary retention, urine infection and bleeding are very rare events.
Conclusion
If you want to know more about the Augmented Prostate Advanced Center and the treatment with Water Vapor Therapy, the Cavalcanti Institute has a specialized service for your case!
We are a center specializing in men's health and sexual performance. We function as a men's clinic, and our mission is to offer multidisciplinary care for the recovery, optimization of men's physical, mental and sexual capacity. schedule an appointment with one of our specialists right now and learn about all the treatments available for your case.