Minimally invasive interventions for lower urinary tract symptoms: What sits between medical therapy and transurethral resection of the prostate.

BACKGROUND

There are a variety of medical and surgical treatment options available today for the management of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) secondary to bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to highlight the various treatment options available for the management of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH and discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of each.

DISCUSSION: Lifestyle and dietary modification and medical therapies, such as an alpha-1 blocker as monotherapy, should be considered as first-line when initially counselling a patient for LUTS secondary to bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH. If bothersome LUTS persist despite medical management, or if medical management is not suitable or preferable, then surgical interventions can be considered. The mainstay of surgical intervention has traditionally been transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP); however, the treatment landscape is rapidly evolving with the development of minimally invasive procedures.