What is Rezum Treatment?
Rezum is a minimally invasive water vapor treatment for initial prostate enlargement and uses thermal energy for treatment. Short-term results show that it has good results with the potential for outpatient-based treatment that preserves sexual function.
For whom is Rezum treatment suitable?
To help assess whether a patient is a good candidate for Rezum, the doctor will use a flow rate bladder scan to see how well the patient is emptying. The patient may also be asked to keep track of the amounts of fluid he or she drinks and empties. After this evaluation, the doctor will perform a prostate ultrasound and take a telescopic look at the prostate.
At the pre-procedure visit, the patient receives detailed instructions about pre-and post-operative care. He will also receive an antibiotic prescription, which should be started the night before the procedure, as well as an anti-anxiety prescription. Anti-inflammatories are given the day before and after the procedure. An alpha-blocker is usually prescribed to improve urine flow after the procedure.
How is Rezum Treatment performed?
After arrival, the patient will be instructed to eliminate the urine and the bladder will then be checked. If there is still more urine in the bladder, it is emptied to avoid having to empty it during the procedure.
Both the prostate and penis are anaesthetized. A resuming device is inserted, a needle is inserted and steam is injected into the prostate for nine seconds. This vapor diffuses between the cells, then cools, releasing heat and gently disrupting the cells of the prostate.
Due to the initial swelling, a catheter is then inserted, which will remain in place for two to five days. The catheter is connected to a bag that remains in the leg and is covered with trousers. A driver is required to take the patient home.
What are the Benefits of Rezum Treatment?
After the resection procedure, the body creates an inflammatory response that takes two to four months to completely resolve. Initially, there will be swelling of the prostate, which can cause restriction of flow and lead to more difficulty and frequency of urination.
Symptoms will worsen before improving. In general, symptoms begin to stabilize at two weeks. At four weeks, patients are back to where they were before the procedure, and at six weeks patients begin to stop taking the medication.
Erections are not affected by the Rezum procedure. There is a one to two percent chance of retrograde ejaculation, which occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of the penis and causes little or no semen to ejaculate. This is a significantly lower percentage than with other prostate procedures.
What are the Advantages of Rezum Treatment Compared to Other Treatment Methods?
- Some patients are not suitable for anesthesia due to reasons such as extreme old age, heart failure, and liver diseases. These patients cannot undergo prostate surgery because they cannot receive anesthesia. With rezum treatment, it is possible for patients in this group to get rid of the prostate by local method without anesthesia.
- After prostate surgeries performed with the open method, some of the patients may ejaculate sperm into the urinary bladder and have problems with erection. These problems are not experienced after rezum treatment.
- After open-method surgeries, hospitalization is required for a certain period of time and postoperative pain, post-urinary burning, bleeding and inability to urinate may be experienced. Operations performed with the Rezum method can be performed easily in a short time such as 10-15 minutes. After the operation, there is no need for hospitalization and there are no problems such as bleeding, burning, and inability to urinate.
- After open surgery, patients are advised to be careful not to be constipated, not to eat spicy, sour, acidic foods, not to travel long distances, and not to catch a cold. If these recommendations are not followed, prostate complaints may persist after the operation. In rezum treatment, these conditions can be relaxed and there is no need to pay this much attention.
Rezum Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
– Is Anaesthesia Applied to Patients in Rezum Treatment?
• The anaesthesiologist usually decides on the type of anesthesia to be administered to patients during rezum treatment. Depending on the patient’s condition or preference, different anesthesia methods can also be applied.
• Is Rezum Treatment a painful procedure?
• Since both the prostate and penis are anesthetized, the pain level is minimal.
• How long does Rezum last?
The procedure itself is quick and simple. Depending on the size of the prostate, the procedure may take an average of 1 or 2 hours.