The only minimally invasive procedure offered in my area of the state was Urolift, no Resum. I had a Urolift procedure in December 2019. My stream initially improved for a few days then closed back up again. In August 2020 my doctor did a cystoscopy and declared it a "Failed Urolift 6x". Open at the top of the urethra but still closed at the lower end. What now? I was offered TURP, no thanks. So I still have the six Urolift devices inside me, local doctors can offer no opinions on whether Rezum is still an option for me. I got a consultation with a new urologist in the Seattle area. They are willing to do a Resum on me but don’t seem to have experience or know what what they have to do regarding the implants that are still there. Anyone out there have knowledge or experience with this? Is it some special procedure that only you few places can perform or does it not make any difference that I have implants still in me?
Griffvicki,
I think I have read that the Urolift sutures can be tightened. The sutures in the lower urethra could be tightened or new sutures could be added to open the lower part of the Urethra.
I have also read that the Urolift clips in the Urethra can be cut off, but it takes special tools to do it, and a Urologist familiar with Urolift. After the clips are cut off a Rezum could be done.
I am not a Urologist so you should verify what I am saying with Urologists familiar with these procedures.
TKM
As a satisfied TURP recipient, I’m curious why you dismissed the TURP suggestion. Because of retrograde ejaculation?
The instructions for use document posted on NeoTract’s website describes the procedure for “removing” the implants. I put removing in quotation marks because it’s not possible to remove the capsular tabs that are anchored to the exterior of the prostate.
I’m not sure how that would work with rezum since the ablation occurs slowly over time as the dead tissue is absorbed by the body, not instantly as with TURP and similar resective procedures. I suppose you would have to return to your urologist a time or two during the months in which the dead tissue is being absorbed and the channel is opening up to have a cystospcopy so he could look and see if any of the urethral tabs are exposed. They shouldn’t be left exposed for long since they will form deposits on them which can cause issues.
My urologist did a cystoscopy (in-office) 2 months after my aquablation procedure since he was only able to account for 3 of the 5 implants during the aquablation procedure. It’s possible the other two may have come out during the flushing of my bladder and been missed or that they were in an area where he did not ablate the tissue.