The procedure is anesthesia-free, with no need for IV sedation, spinal or general anesthesia. Most patients can return home the same day as the treatment and quickly resume everyday activities. The balloon, located at the very end of the catheter, is inflated to position the microwave antenna in the prostate. Chilled water is circulated through the catheter to protect healthy urethral tissue. While the chilled water is being circulated, the microwave power is started and the diseased tissue in the prostate is heated.
Heating is continued for one hour in order to destroy the diseased tissue.
After one hour, the microwave energy is turned off, while the chilled water continues to circulate to protect the healthy urethral tissue from any residual heat. At the completion of cooling, the procedure is finished and the catheter is removed. A small probe is inserted through the urethra and into the prostate. Two small electrodes are deployed into the prostate and a low level of radio frequency energy is applied. The energy heats the prostate tissue and shrinks it, relieving the obstruction while protecting the urethra and surrounding areas.