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UroLift treatment for enlarged prostate

AHSN CIA / Project / UroLift treatment for enlarged prostate

UroLift

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system. As a man ages the prostate can grow larger, and it is estimated that 60% of men over 60 years of age have some degree of prostate enlargement. An enlarged prostate is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate surrounds part of the urethra and as such an enlarged prostate can squeeze or partly block the urethra, thereby cause problems passing urine. Symptoms of BPH include frequent urination and problems with urinating.

Treatment

Treatment currently includes medication which relieves the symptoms but does not get rid of them. Therefore, stopping the medication will see the symptoms return. Surgical interventions include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) which remove part of the prostate. However side effects can include loss of the ability to ejaculate and erectile dysfunction and as such some men choose not to have these surgical interventions.

The UroLift System

The UroLift System is an alternative procedure to surgery, and is used to perform a prostatic urethral lift for patients with BPH. The system uses adjustable, permanent implants to pull excess prostatic tissue away so that it does not block or narrow the urethra, and as such the device is designed to relieve symptoms without the need for cutting or removing tissue and without compromising sexual function. The procedure can be carried out as a day case, with patients typically being discharged without a catheter, and has been demonstrated to offer efficiencies to Trusts.

The UroLift System was one of six products to be awarded the Innovation and Technology tariff as part of the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA), from April 2017, and it has also been recommended by NICE.

Supporting implementation of the procedure

The Oxford AHSN is working with Trusts throughout the region to support implementation of the procedure and ensure Trusts can access the Innovation and Technology tariff associated with this. The support includes:

  • Initial scoping of current BPH activity, waiting times for surgery
  • Understanding of efficiencies to be gained from implementation of UroLift procedure
  • Development of business case for procedure
  • Foster links between Trusts and NeoTract (company that developed the UroLift System)

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