In addition to being an effective long-term treatment for symptomatic BPH, thermotherapy is easy to administer, easy on the patient and requires no hospitalization. TUMT has not been shown to have a negative impact on sexual function. Using a laser system, ILC delivers thermal energy via a unique fiberoptic tip through the urine tube to the interior of the prostate, targeting the unwanted tissue. The laser fiber is then entered into the prostate in order to relieve obstruction of the prostate gland. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with topical anesthesia.
Patients are able to return home after treatment but require a catheter for about one week.
During this procedure, which usually can be performed on an outpatient basis, the urologist makes one or two incisions in the bundle of smooth muscles where the prostate gland meets the bladder. The incision splits the gland and reduces its size, which reduces pressure on the urethra. This can relieve the urinary symptoms caused by the enlarged gland pressing on the urethra. Urologists insert a laser probe through an instrument that allows them to visually examine the gland and then apply laser energy to vaporize the obstructing prostate tissue. This procedure results in minimal blood loss and a shortened hospital stay.