• You can walk but it’s best to do gradually. Alternate between periods of activity lasting 15 to 30 minutes with rest periods in between.
• Avoid lifting heavy objects that weigh more than 10 kilograms for 1 week.
• Avoid intense exercise or physical activity for 1 week.
• Avoid having sexual intercourse for 1 week.
• Drink plenty of water to help small clots drain from the bladder and maintain clear urine. Drink about 8 ounces (one cup) every 2 hours during the day and stop 2 to 3 hours before bed.
• The catheter is usually removed after approximately 7 days at the clinic or the CLSC.
• A follow-up appointment and bladder ultrasound will be scheduled for 2 months after the procedure.

The vapour injection under local anesthesia is a treatment that uses radiofrequency to generate "wet thermal energy” in the form of water vapour. This vapour is then injected it into different areas of the prostate. Essentially, the procedure involves injecting water vapour into the prostate tissue that’s obstructing urinary flow from the bladder. Once injected, the vapour immediately reverts to water, releasing stored energy within the cell membranes. This gentle yet immediate process triggers cellular damage, leading to cell death. Over time, the body naturally absorbs the treated tissue. This treatment can reduce the size of the prostate by up to 40% in 3 to 6 months.

• Men who don’t want to take drugs to treat BPH
• Men who are bothered by BPH symptoms, despite medical treatment
• Men who don’t want surgery to treat BPH
• Men who cannot undergo prostate surgery under general anesthesia

However, vapour injections under local anesthesia aren’t recommended for patients with an artificial urinary sphincter or a penile implant.

The vapour injection under local anesthesia vs MTOPS study of Gupta & al. in the Journal of Urology in 2018 demonstrated identical, if not better, results than medical treatment.

Goal:  They compared the single steam thermal therapy procedure with combined daily medical therapy (Doxazosin and Finasteride) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Population:  They evaluated the long-term outcome of treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia of more than 1,000 patients over a 3-year period. Patients were moderately or severely symptomatic (IPSS greater than 13) and the volume of their prostate was moderate to large (30 to 80 grams).

Results:  The improvement in symptoms was greater than that seen with Doxazonine alone or Finasteride alone, but similar to that of combination drugs. A single steam thermal therapy procedure resulted in an effective and lasting improvement of symptoms with observed rates of clinical progression, lower than those of long-term daily use of the medication.

Improvement is gradual, with noticeable changes after 2 weeks and more significant improvements between 3 and 6 months post-treatment. After 3 months, patients can stop taking medication.

Clinical studies demonstrate sustained improvement in symptoms up to 4 years after treatment. Ongoing studies aim to further assesses the long-term outcome of patients.

Vapour injection under local anesthesia is a one-time treatment for BPH. This intervention is performed in a minor surgery room at Cliniques Marois. This treatment can be performed under oral sedation and local anesthesia (prostatic block). This treatment doesn’t require general anesthesia. Our urologists will discuss pain management options with you to ensure you’re comfortable throughout the entire procedure. While the vapour injection under local anesthesia treatment may be uncomfortable, it’s not painful. During the procedure, you’ll lie on you back with your legs placed in stirrups while sterile fields are placed. Anesthetic gel will be applied to the urethra before the vapour injection is administered to the prostate. Multiple steam injections will then be made on each side of the prostate and any intravesical lobes (middle lobe) present. The entire procedure happens under direct vision with a camera. A urinary catheter will be left in place for a few days.

This treatment has been shown to reduce urinary symptoms in many men with prostate hypertrophy (BPH). It’s a minimally invasive procedure with fewer side effects than surgical treatment. However, like with any surgical procedure, the following side effects may occur temporarily:

• Painful urination
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Blood in the sperm (hemospermia)
• Frequent urination
• Inability to urinate or empty the bladder completely
• Need for short-term catheterization (urinary catheter)

The most adverse symptoms disappear within 3 weeks of the procedure. However, some may last longer. Please discuss how to potentially reduce these risks with one of our urologists.

Some of the following options may help relieve discomfort during the short-term healing process:

• Take a mild pain reliever, such as Tylenol
• Take a warm bath or sit on a hot pad
• Temporarily eliminate caffeine, chocolate and alcohol from your diet