Transurethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate

Transurethral needle ablation, commonly referred to as TUNA, involves inserting a cystoscope through the tip of the penis into the urethra to treat urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. The surgeon inserts a pair of interstitial radiofrequency needles through the prostate tissue and urethra. Radio waves pass through the needles to destroy a section of the prostate that is blocking the flow of urine. Scarring by the heat of radio waves shrinks the prostate tissue while the urinary channel opens up, allowing easy passage of urine out of the bladder.The healing of the penis after the procedure will ensure that the urethra is no longer squeezed and can allow emptying of the bladder.

TUNA Procedure

A minimally invasive therapy of prostatism, TUNA is performed as an outpatient procedure that does not require the patient to stay overnight in the hospital facility. With a minimal recovery period, the procedure gives hope to men with an enlarged prostate gland.When the prostate is enlarged, the condition is known as benign prostate hyperplasia. A bigger prostate may cause stressing of the urethra. The enlarged prostate presses against the urethra, and the bladder wall begins to contract, which causes weakening of the bladder and preventing it from emptying completely.As a result, you may experience difficulty in passing urine. You may frequently feel the urge to urinate. Benign prostate hyperplasia can distress the bladder and create problems in passing urine, which can cause damage to the kidneys. The symptoms can cause frustration, sleep disruption, and embarrassmentMen with mild to moderate urethra obstruction can benefit from the procedure, which treats urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Transurethral needle ablation procedure is not recommended for those with large prostates, nor is it the best procedure for men with enlarged middle lobe of the prostate.It’s best to undergo Transurethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate procedure before the prostate gland becomes enlarged and the symptoms become severe. You may be given local anesthetic to numb the penis and urethra so that you don’t feel pain when the procedure is being performed. The entire procedure may not take longer than 30 minutes.

Precautions

Some medicines can increase the risk of bleeding after and before the procedure, so it is better to consult your doctor to determine which medications to avoid before undergoing TUNA. Your healthcare provider will also prescribe the medicines that you should take after the procedure.Research reveals that the procedure gives long-term relief for 5 years. Possible side effects include urgency to urinate, blood in urine, bleeding, and urinary tract infection. A minor burning sensation may be experienced when urinating for at least one week after the treatment.