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Dr. Arjun Somireddy

Facing difficulties in emptying your bladder? You might be at the risk of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia!

Read the full Times of India article here: Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

What Happens During Prostate Artery Embolization?

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally-invasive, catheter-based, image-guided procedure used to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate). PAE is performed by interventional radiologists, who are doctors with specialized training in minimally-invasive, image-guided procedures.

In PAE, the blood supply to an enlarged prostate gland is blocked. This is done by injecting small particles into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. This causes the gland to shrink.

It is performed on an outpatient basis and might sometimes require admission for a day or two. The procedure takes on average about an hour to complete.

Watch this video for a better understanding.

During the procedure:

  • A catheter will be inserted into an artery in your groin or hand. It is then threaded through the artery into the specific blood vessels that supply the prostate.
  • A dye is injected through the catheter to help the doctor see the arteries in high resolution.
  • Once the catheter is in the right position, particles called embolics will be injected. During this injection you may feel some warmth or tingling sensation.
  • When the procedure is finished, the catheter is removed.
  • Some patients with very large glands might require a urinary catheter for a few days after the procedure.

After the procedure:

  • You will be monitored for a short time after the procedure to make sure you are feeling well, and then if everything looks good, you will be sent home.
  • You may experience some side effects after the procedure, such as
    • urinary retention (the inability to urinate)
    • increased frequency of urination
    • a greater urgency to urinate

These side effects are usually temporary and will resolve on their own.

Advantages of PAE

Advantages of PAE

There are multiple benefits of prostate artery embolization (PAE), including:

  • Minimally-invasive procedure that does not require surgery.
  • Can be performed on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day
  • Less side effects - reduced incidence of sexual dysfunction or urinary incontinence compared to surgery
  • Shorter recovery time than surgery
  • Ideal procedure for men who are not candidates for surgery or unwilling to undergo surgery.

Informational Videos On Prostatic Artery Embolization

FAQs

In general, approximately 80 to 90% of patients report a reduction in urinary symptoms and an improvement in urinary quality of life. Success rate is also dependent on the size of the prostate with patients with glands larger than 60 gms tending to have a higher success rate.

The risks of prostate artery embolization are similar to the risks of any interventional radiology procedure that can be managed effectively, such as

  • bleeding at catheter entry site ( less than 1% incidence ).
  • infection ( 3 to 5 % of patients can experience urinary tract infection after the procedure which can be safely treated with antibiotics)
  • Penile ulcer ( Very rarely, less than 1 in 200 men undergoing PAE can develop a small ulcer over the penis due to leakage of some of the particles into penile blood supply. These ulcers are temporary - resolve within 2 to 3 weeks - and can be treated with topical creams and pain killers with no permanent damage).

Prostate artery embolization is typically completed in about one to sometimes 2 hours based on the complexity of the patients prostatic blood supply .

Most patients can return home the same day after the procedure. Recovery time may vary, but most patients report an improvement in urinary symptoms within a week.

Many insurance plans cover this procedure, but coverage may vary depending on the individual plan.

Consult Dr. Arjun Somireddy for Quality PAE Treatment!

Looking for an experienced interventional radiologist who can serve you with the highest quality of patient care? Give a call at +91-8074901386 to schedule an appointment today!

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