The dawn of minimal invasive surgical therapies for benign prostate hyperplasia in South Africa: water vapour energy ablation with Rezūm

Abstract

The challenges in managing the ever-increasing burden of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in South Africa are diverse. Sexual and psychological side effects of current medical and surgical treatment options are contributing factors to some patients’ unwillingness to undergo treatment. Severe shortages of urological theatre resources in the public sector lead to unacceptably long waiting lists for surgical management of BPH.

Minimal invasive surgical therapies (MIST) for BPH have the potential to address some of these challenges. The lack of availability of MIST options in South Africa has been hindering its integration into local BPH management strategies. Water vapour energy (WAVE) ablation with the Rezūm system has become the first urologist-administered MIST for BPH to be made available in South Africa. In this article we briefly review this new therapy’s technique, mode of action, efficacy, and safety. We present the three-month outcomes of the first small Rezūm case series in Africa and discuss its potential application in addressing the challenges of BPH management in South Africa.