To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy system in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The clinical data of 22 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy system in Boao Yiling Life Care Center in Hainan from December 2020 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, with age of (61.0±5.9) years, prostate volume of (43.7±8.4) ml. international prostate symptom score (IPSS) of (19.3±3.7), quality of life (QOL) score of (4.2±0.8), maximum urinary flow rate (Q_max) of (11.9±3.4) ml ml/s, and residual urine volume (PVR) of (14.0±19.0). For 19 patients with sexual life, the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire-5 (IIEF-5) were 17.0±5.5, the Men's Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculatory Dysfunction Score (MSHQ-EjD) ejaculatory function score were 10.0±3.2, and the ejaculatory satisfaction score were 1.5±1.0. Twenty-two patients underwent Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy under intravenous anesthesia (general anesthesia without intubation) in the dorsal lithotomy position. The Rezūm system consisted of reusable thermal steam treatment device and disposable prostate thermal steam treatment instrument. The thermal steam treatment device used radiofrequency energy to heat sterile distilled water, generating high-temperature steam at 103℃. In a 9-second timeframe, the tissue temperature within each treatment area was raised approximately 70℃, causing cell death and resulting in a shrink in prostate tissue volume. The disposable prostate thermal steam treatment instrument could be inserted through a cystoscope and had a retractable needle tip that extends to a length of 10.25 mm. The needle tip had 12 evenly distributed holes arranged in three rows of four holes each, with a spacing of 120° between rows, allowing for even diffusion of thermal steam along the circumference. The patient was placed in a lithotomy position, and the disposable prostate thermal steam treatment instrument was used to examine the prostate, urethra, and bladder via cystoscopy, assessing the lateral lobes and median lobe of the prostate. The tissue spacing within each field of view of the treatment instrument is 0.5 cm, and the distance from the bladder neck to the verumontanum is calculated. The first needle was injected at 3 o’clock along the left lobe, withdrawing 2 fields of view each time. During the release of thermal steam, the needle tip was positioned perpendicular to the prostate urethral mucosa, and each needle injection delivered 0.42 ml of sterile distilled water-formed thermal steam into the prostate tissue. The thermal steam injection lasted for 9 seconds, followed by a 2-3 seconds waiting period before retracting the needle tip. One needle was injected per 2 fields of view, progressing towards the proximal urethra of the verumontanum. The same method was used to treat the right lobe. For cases with significant median lobe enlargement, two fields of view were retracted at the bladder neck, and the needle was inserted at a 45° angle. The second needle was injected at intervals determined by the extent of median lobe enlargement. Each puncture point was observed for no significant bleeding, and the instrument was then removed, with an F16/F18 silicone catheter left in place. The operative time as well as indwelling catheter time were recorded. The clinical parameters such as IPSS, QOL, prostate volume, Q_max, PVR, QOL, IIEF-5 and MSHQ-EjD at preoperative and 12 to 22 weeks post operation were compared. Adverse events from the Rezūm procedure to 12-22 weeks postoperatively were recorded.

All the operations were successfully completed. The operation time of Rezūm system was 3.9±1.6 min, and the indwelling catheter time after operation was 4.8±1.1 days. The IPSS scores of 22 patients at 12-22 weeks after operation were 4.4±3.3, whose reduction was 14.9±4.4 compared with these at baseline(P<0.01). The PV was (37.7±8.4)ml, Q_max was (25.5±9.6)ml/s, PVR was (6.2±8.1)ml, and QOL was 1.6±0.9, all demonstrating statistically significant differences compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Among the 19 cases with sexual activity, the IIEF-5 score was 20.4±3.2, and the ejaculatory function score of MSHQ-EjD was 13.1±3.1, both showing statistically significant differences compared to preoperative scores (P<0.05). The ejaculatory satisfaction score of MSHQ-EjD was 1.1±0.5, and there was no statistically significant difference compared to preoperative scores (P>0.05). None of the 22 cases required medication or further surgical treatment for BPH after surgery. There were no urethral injuries, rectal or bladder perforations during the surgeries, and no severe complications such as rectal fistula or bladder neck contracture occurred postoperatively. There were no deaths reported. Postoperative discomfort in the urethra occurred in 19 cases, urethral pain in 8 cases, hematuria in 15 cases, poor sleep quality in 2 cases, and constipation in 1 case, all of which resolved within 7 to 10 days after surgery. Erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation occurred in one case each at 4 to 5 weeks postoperatively but did not reoccur thereafter. Prostatitis and nodular hyperplasia of the middle lobe of the prostate occurred in one case each at 21 weeks and 25 weeks postoperatively, respectively, and no treatment was administered.

In the real world, the short-term overall effect of Rezūm Water Vapor Thermal Therapy system in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia is satisfactory, which shows good efficacy and safety.

Prostatic hyperplasia; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Water vapor thermal therapy; Minimally invasive; Real-world research