Dr. Deepak Dubey

HOD & Consultant - Uro - Oncology Robotic Surgery And Renal Transplantation

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Dr. Deepak Dubey

HOD & Consultant - Uro - Oncology Robotic Surgery And Renal Transplantation

Manipal Hospitals, Old Airport Road

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Rezum Water Vapour Therapy: The Future of BPH Treatment

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You're not alone if you feel like your bladder never completely empties or if you get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), sometimes referred to as an enlarged prostate, affects millions of elderly men globally. Traditionally, this condition has been managed through medications or invasive surgery, however, they have longer recovery periods.

But what if regaining control could be done quickly, effectively, and with minimal intrusion? Rezum Water Vapour Therapy provides a novel remedy with long-lasting effects. Continue reading this blog to learn what Rezūm therapy is and how it can benefit men experiencing BPH symptoms, regaining their comfort and self-assurance.

Synopsis

What is Rezum Water Vapour Therapy
Benefits: Rezum Water Vapour Therapy
Treatment Process
Different from Other Minimally Invasive Procedures
Age Group and Patient Selection
Conclusion

What is Rezum Water Vapour Therapy

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy is an FDA-approved treatment that utilises the natural energy in steam or water vapour to remove enlarged prostate tissue responsible for BPH symptoms. This innovative approach leverages thermal energy for effective tissue reduction, offering minimal side effects and a shorter recovery period.

The treatment involves controlled doses of sterile water vapour doses that directly target specific prostate tissue contributing to urinary symptoms. Upon steam exposure, the prostate tissue releases stored thermal energy, destroying cells in the treated area. Over the following weeks, the body’s natural healing processes eliminate the affected tissue, causing the prostate to shrink and the urethra to open, resulting in improved urinary function.

Benefits: Rezum Water Vapour Therapy

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy is a desirable alternative for men with enlarged prostates since it provides several benefits.

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy for BPH treatment

Symptom Improvement

This technique produces long-lasting effects by drastically reducing urinary symptoms, within 2-4 weeks. Research indicates that improvements in urine flow and fewer midnight bathroom trips last for more than 5 years, improving overall quality of life.

Safety Profile

By using natural water vapour rather than radiation or artificial implants or radiation, this therapy ensures the maintenance of sexual function, including normal ejaculatory function, with a reduced risk of erectile dysfunction and urine incontinence. It is indeed a more natural and safer alternative for patients than traditional prostate surgery.

Convenience

Most men heal quickly from this outpatient treatment and resume their regular activities in a few days. It is usually performed under local anaesthesia or mild sedation, which offers a less invasive and effective treatment, and no permanent implants or gadgets are left in the body.

Same-Day Discharge

Rezum water vapour therapy is usually performed as a daycare procedure, so patients can return back home 2 to 3 hours after the procedure. It only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete the procedure. Patients require minimal assistance and resume light activities quickly, ensuring a safer and quicker return to daily life.

Reduced Complications

With a lower risk profile than traditional surgery, side effects are mild and resolve within weeks. Mild urinary symptoms improve within 2-3 weeks, whereas temporary urinary frequency and urgency are common but can be controlled. By using steam instead of surgical instruments, this procedure minimizes tissue trauma and reduces bleeding risks. Sexual function remains unaffected, and recovery is smooth with minimal complications. Sometimes, intermittent catheterization for 2-3 days may be required.

Treatment Process

Learn how Rezum Water Vapour Therapy uses sterile steam to shrink excess prostate tissue, which restores urinary flow through a quick, minimally invasive procedure.

1. Pre-Procedure Preparation

Before Your Appointment

Your doctor will review your medical history and current medications
You may need to stop taking blood-thinning medications several days before the procedure
You'll be asked to avoid eating or drinking for 4-6 hours before the procedure
Plan to have someone drive you home after the treatment

Day of Procedure Preparation

The medical team will check your vital signs and review the procedure with you
You'll change into a medical gown
A local anaesthesia will be administered to ensure your comfort:
- Lidocaine gel is applied to numb the urethra
- Some patients receive oral sedation to help them relax
- Unlike major surgery, general anaesthesia is not required
The procedure area will be cleaned and sterilised

2. The Procedure in Detail

Initial Steps

You'll lie comfortably on a procedure table
The area will be draped for sterility
Monitoring devices will track your vital signs throughout the procedure

Treatment Delivery

The Rezum delivery device, approximately the size of a catheter, is carefully inserted through the urethra
A small camera (cystoscope) allows the doctor to view your prostate in real-time
The doctor will map out the specific treatment areas of your prostate

Vapour Treatment Process

Each vapour treatment is precisely targeted to the enlarged prostate tissue:
- Sterile water is heated to create vapour (steam)
- The vapour is delivered in precise 9-second treatments
- Each treatment covers about 1.5 cm of tissue
- The vapour disperses between cells and releases stored thermal energy
- This energy denatures the problem tissue while preserving surrounding structures
Most patients receive 4-6 treatments, depending on their prostate size and anatomy
Your doctor will treat both sides of the prostate as needed
The entire process typically takes 10-15 minutes of actual treatment time

3. Recovery and Aftercare

Immediate Post-Procedure (First Few Hours)

You'll spend 1-2 hours in recovery for monitoring
Medical staff will ensure you're comfortable and stable
You'll receive detailed aftercare instructions
A temporary catheter may be placed if needed:
- This helps manage initial swelling
- Usually remains for 2-3 days
- Your doctor will show you how to care for it
- Removal is quick and can be done in the office

Different from Other Minimally Invasive Procedures

Rezum stands apart from other minimally invasive BPH treatments in several key ways:

Compared to UroLift:

Rezum doesn't leave any permanent implants in the prostate
Generally more cost-effective long-term
Can treat prostates of various sizes and shapes more effectively
It may provide more complete symptom relief

Compared to TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate):

Much shorter procedure time
Significantly reduced recovery period
Lower risk of complications
Preserves ejaculatory function in most cases

Compared to Medications:

One-time treatment versus daily medication
No ongoing medication costs
No drug-related side effects
More definitive solution

Age Group and Patient Selection

Rezum Water Vapour Therapy is suitable for a wide range of patients:

Ideal Candidates	Considerations
Men 50 years and older with BPH symptoms	No upper age limit for healthy patients.
Those with prostates between 30-80 grams in size.	It can be performed on patients with comorbidities who might not be candidates for more invasive surgery.
Patients who have failed or don't want to take BPH medications	Suitable for men who have had previous prostate treatments.
Men who want to preserve sexual function	Suitable for men who have had previous prostate treatment
Those seeking a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery.	Appropriate for men with median lobe enlargement.

Conclusion

Patients can receive an effective, less invasive therapy with Rezum Water Vapour Therapy, which eliminates the need for years of medicine and surgery. This therapy is a great option for patients with an enlarged prostate because of its advantages, which include long-lasting symptom management and a short recovery period. If you're looking for a contemporary, successful treatment for BPH, speak with a skilled urologist in Bangalore right now!