Pilot study of transperineal injection of dehydrated ethanol in the treatment of prostatic obstruction

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of a new approach for treatment of prostatic obstruction involving transperineal injection of dehydrated ethanol into the prostate using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Methods Dehydrated ethanol was injected transperineally into 11 patients with prostatic obstruction due to hyperplasia or carcinoma. Injections were performed under TRUS surveillance at bilateral sites of the prostate for an overall amount of 2 to 8 mL of ethanol for each patient. Results There were no intraoperative complications, but postoperative urinary retention occurred in 1 patient who received catheterization for 3 days. The mean symptom score decreased from 17.7 ± 6.0 (median 23) to 8.5 ± 1.1 (median 3.5) at 3 months postoperatively ( P P P Conclusions Our preliminary data suggest that this technique can be performed as an outpatient procedure. It is considered an alternative treatment for prostatic obstruction due to benign hyperplasia or carcinoma, especially when there is a high operative risk.