New Delhi, Sep 14 (PTI) Men suffering from an enlarged prostate can now undergo a minimally invasive steam-based procedure in Delhi that uses controlled water vapour to shrink excess tissue and ease urinary blockage, with the treatment typically requiring no general anaesthesia.
The procedure, known as Rezūm water-vapour therapy, has been introduced at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, which said it is the first multi-speciality hospital in Delhi-NCR to offer the treatment.
According to an official statement, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, becomes increasingly common with age and can cause frequent urination, disturbed sleep, difficulty passing urine and, in severe cases, urinary retention.
Citing prevalence studies, the hospital said around 25 per cent of men aged 40 to 49, 37 per cent of those aged 50 to 60 and more than half of men above 60 have BPH-related symptoms in India.
The treatment involves delivering controlled steam into the enlarged prostate tissue, causing it to shrink over time and relieving the obstruction. It is generally performed as a day-care procedure and patients can be discharged the same day, the statement read.
Five-year clinical data cited by the hospital showed sustained relief from symptoms, with 4.4 per cent of patients requiring a follow-up surgery.
Dr Anurag Puri, additional director of urology at Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh said many men delay or avoid conventional surgery because of concerns about hospitalisation, bleeding and sexual dysfunction.
He said the steam-based procedure targets only the excess prostate tissue and has a lower risk of sexual dysfunction compared with conventional surgical options.
The hospital said the treatment may also be considered for some patients taking blood-thinning medication or those with electrolyte abnormalities, depending on their medical assessment.
The procedure is aimed at providing an alternative to conventional surgical treatment and long-term medication for eligible patients with BPH, the statement read. PTI MSJ MSJ SKY SKY
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