Drug-Coated Prostate Balloon Could Eliminate Need For Surgery

Enlarged prostates that block a man’s urine flow and complete bladder emptying often lead to a root-router type of prostate surgery called trans-urethral resection of prostate, better known at TURP surgery. The procedure often leads to undesirable complications such as sexual dysfunction and incontinence.

The FDA has recently approved the Optilume BPH Catheter System as an alternative to surgery. The device has dual balloons that inflate and push back obstructing prostatic tissue, open an effective urine flow channel, and deliver a medication, paclitaxel, that shrinks the prostate and prevents a repeat obstruction.

A randomized, controlled, double-blind study of the device demonstrated its effectiveness in restoring urine flow and bladder emptying while avoiding the sexual performance and incontinence issues that may complicate traditional surgery.

https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/JU.0000000000003568

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