Current and future trends in interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in Japan.

PURPOSE: Procedures of Japanese urologists of interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) should be defined for resource economy and policy establishment.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to the urology departments of 80 medical schools in Japan for clarification of surgical procedures presently in use for treating bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH. Prospects for the next 5 years (year 2002) were also requested.

RESULTS

We received 76 questionnaire responses from medical school urology facilities (95%) by the end of January 1997. Standard transurethral resection of the prostate gland is and will continue to be the most common surgical procedure. Open adenectomy is the first choice for large glands but may be replaced by other interventional procedures. Laser prostatectomy and transurethral electrovaporization will be used more often for treating all severities of BPH.

CONCLUSIONS

Even with increasing interest in new techniques, transurethral resection of the prostate will continue to serve as the standard therapy for BPH during the next 5 years. Transurethral electrovaporization may become established in the near future.