How do I treat and follow my TUNA patients

[Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by radiofrequency (TUNA): a monocentric study of 28 cases treated in ambulatory surgery]

AIM

To assess the feasibility of ambulatory surgery in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia using radio frequency (TUNA) and evaluate its place in terms of efficiency among other minimally invasive surgical techniques.

METHOD

Fifty-four patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia and for whom medical treatment was ineffective, were treated with radio frequency between September 2004 and June 2007. Among them, 28 patients, whose average age was 65.8 (aged 52-82), were selected for Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA) as outpatients. Urine status was assessed before and after TUNA treatment using the International Prostate Score System, the Quality Of Life-score to urinary symptoms, the measures of the maximal flow rate and of the residual urine. The erectile function was assessed using the five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).

RESULTS

With an average regression of 12.14 months, a significant improvement in urine status was observed with an average IPSS score passing from 22.4 to 9.75 and an average quality of life score passing from 4.9 to 1.9. The maximum flow rate and average flow volume increased significantly from 8.66 to 14.6 ml/s and from 202 to 248.4 ml respectively. Average urine residue was reduced from 177.4 to 112.2 ml (p<0.05). The IIEF-5 score did not increase significantly (14.1 versus 12.8). There were no cases of patients being rehospitalised. One case of prostatitis and six cases of acute urinary retention were observed at the postoperative stage. The rate of retreat was 21.4%.

CONCLUSION

TUNA treatment is a minimally invasive technique of benign prostatic hyperplasia which can be carried out in ambulatory surgery and which is effective for urinary symptoms with little risk of morbidity. It is an alternative to medical treatment and does not replace planned surgical treatment.

Prostate thermal therapy with high intensity transurethral ultrasound: the impact of pelvic bone heating on treatment delivery

PURPOSE

This study was designed to assess pelvic bone temperature during typical treatment regimens of transurethral ultrasound thermal ablation of the prostate to establish guidelines for limiting bone heating.

METHODS

Treatment with transurethral planar, curvilinear, and sectored tubular applicators was simulated using an acoustic and biothermal pelvic model that accommodates applicator sweeping, boundary temperature control, and changes in perfusion and attenuation with thermal dose to more accurately model ultrasound energy penetration. The effects of various parameters including power and frequency (5-10 MHz) on bone heating were assessed for a range of prostate cross-sections (3-5 cm) and bone distances (1-3 cm).

RESULTS

All devices can produce significant bone heating (temperatures >50 degrees C, thermal dose >240 EM(43 degrees C)) without optimization of applied frequency or power for bone <3 cm from the prostate boundary. In small glands ( approximately 3 cm) increasing operating frequency of curvilinear and planar devices can increase bone temperatures, whereas the tubular applicator can be used at 10 MHz to avoid likely bone damage. In larger prostates (4-5 cm wide) increasing frequency reduces bone heating but can substantially increase treatment time. Lowering power can reduce bone temperature but may increase thermal dose by increasing treatment duration. All applicators can be used to treat glands 4-5 cm with limited bone heating by selecting appropriate power and frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Pubic bone heating during ultrasound thermal therapy of the prostate can be substantial in certain situations. Successful realization of this therapy will require patient-specific treatment planning to optimally determine power and frequency in order to minimize bone heating.