Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate

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Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA)
ICD-9-CM 60.97

Transurethral needle ablation (also called TUNA or transurethral radiofrequency ablation) is a technique that uses low energy radio frequency delivered through two needles to ablate excess prostate tissue. A cystoscope/catheter deploys the needles toward the obstructing prostate tissue and is inserted into the urethra directly through the penis under local anesthetic before the procedure begins. The energy from the probe heats the abnormal prostate tissue without damaging the urethra. The resulting scar tissue later atrophies, reducing the size of the prostate which in turn reduces the constriction of the urethra. It can be done with a local anesthetic on an outpatient basis. [1] It takes about an hour to perform the procedure. [2] It takes about 30 days for the ablated prostate tissue to resorb. [3]

Contents

Transurethral needle ablation can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). [4]

Some clinical studies have reported that TUNA is safe and effective, improving the urine flow with minimal side effects when compared with other procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy. [1] [5] [6] However, other studies have reported that the procedure has a high failure rate, with the majority of patients requiring retreatment. [7] Some patients have reported long-term inflammation of their prostate after undergoing the TUNA process. This is known as chronic prostatitis.

Judgements in guidelines

History

The TUNA system was pioneered by Stuart Denzil Edwards. The device was the main product for a startup company called Vidamed. Vidamed was founded in 1992 by Edwards along with Ron G. Lax, Hugh Sharky and Ingemar Lundquist, in Menlo Park, California, before building an international global corporation headed up by Lyle F. Brotherton. Vidamed was floated in an IPO on the US NASDAQ stock market in 1995 and then acquired by Medtronic in 2001. [10] In 2011, Urologix, Inc. acquired the worldwide exclusive license to Prostiva radiofrequency therapy. [11]

Related Research Articles

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The prostate is both an accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found only in some mammals. It differs between species anatomically, chemically, and physiologically. Anatomically, the prostate is found below the bladder, with the urethra passing through it. It is described in gross anatomy as consisting of lobes and in microanatomy by zone. It is surrounded by an elastic, fibromuscular capsule and contains glandular tissue as well as connective tissue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benign prostatic hyperplasia</span> Noncancerous increase in size of the prostate gland

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References

Notes
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  3. "Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) Results - Mayo Clinic". Archived from the original on 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  4. "Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  5. Steele GS; Sleep DJ (November 1997). "Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate: a urodynamic based study with 2-year followup". The Journal of Urology . 158 (5): 1834–8. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)64140-5. ISSN   0022-5347. PMID   9334612. Wikidata   Q28251674.
  6. Tubaro A; De Nunzio C; Miano R (1 January 2007). "Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate". Current Opinion in Urology. 17 (1): 7–11. doi:10.1097/MOU.0B013E328011AB98. ISSN   0963-0643. PMID   17143104. Wikidata   Q28276946.
  7. Rosario DJ; Phillips JT; Chapple CR (March 2007). "Durability and cost-effectiveness of transurethral needle ablation of the prostate as an alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate when alpha-adrenergic antagonist therapy fails". The Journal of Urology . 177 (3): 1047-51; discussion 1051. doi:10.1016/J.JURO.2006.10.042. ISSN   0022-5347. PMID   17296409. Wikidata   Q28287880.
  8. H. E. Foster; M. J. Barry; P. Dahm; M. C. Gandhi; S. A. Kaplan; T. S. Kohler (2018). "Surgical Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: AUA Guideline". J Urol. 200 (3): 612–619. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2018.05.048 . PMID   29775639.
  9. EAU: Management of Non-neurogenic Male LUTS - Summary of Changes 2019 Archived 2022-02-07 at the Wayback Machine .
  10. "Medtronic agrees to acquire Vidamed". incubelabs.com. In Cube Labs. 2001-12-06. Archived from the original on 2014-03-10. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
  11. "Urologix Corporate Milestones". urologix.com. Urologix, Inc. Archived from the original on 2013-02-27. Retrieved 2013-03-19.