Traditional and Emerging Surgical Therapies for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men: A comparative review

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are one of the most common health problems in men and pose a significant economic challenge in healthcare. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remains the gold standard surgical treatment for medically refractive LUTS secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

In the 1980s and 1990s, the institution of medical therapy and the development of several minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs) commenced. Together, these therapies brought about a revolution in the natural course of the disease, stimulating investigation into the economic consequences of various management methods.

TURP has been observed to have higher complication rates, but better efficacy and lower retreatment rates compared to MISTs. Staying abreast of the evolving understanding of LUTS and the alternative treatment options is imperative for radiologists.

Reference: Smith C, et al. Comparison of Traditional and Emerging Surgical Therapies for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men: A Review. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2017 Jan 19.