A common cause of urinary difficulty in men is an enlarged prostate. As men age the prostate grows larger often leading to urinary difficulty and prostate cancer.
The TUNA procedure (Transurethral Needle Ablation) offers a minimally invasive outpatient therapy approach. The procedure generally takes less then one hour with some additional preparation time required. During the procedure a lighted telescope is inserted into the urethra, which projects small needles into the obstructing prostate tissue. The needles emit low level radiofrequency energy which heats and destroys the excess prostate tissue, while leaving the urethra and rest of the prostate intact. Minimal discomfort can occur following the procedure but can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medication. Results vary, but a majority of patients notice improvement in two to six weeks.
Bladder problems can occur at any age and affect both men and women. Treatment for urinary control can range from changes in dietary habits, exercise, medications, and biofeedback.
Interstim® Therapy was developed as an added alternative to urinary difficulty. It is a reversible treatment and involves implanting a small device that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in the lower back, to decrease the symptoms of urgency, frequency, urinary retention, and urge incontinence. The procedure is done in two steps, the first of which is a test step allowing the physician to see what effect the stimulation has on your symptoms. If symptoms improve by at least 50 percent then the second implantation stage is scheduled. This is an outpatient procedure.