05 Jun Rezum Vapour Therapy: A Complete Guide
Rezum Vapour Therapy: A Complete Guide
By Island Hospital | June 5, 2024 12:00:00 PM
Medical Reviewer: Dr. S. Sritharan , Urologist
For men grappling with the frustrating and often debilitating symptoms of an enlarged prostate, there are several ways to curb it.
When traditional treatment options like medications or invasive surgeries can bring their own set of challenges and side effects, a minimally invasive solution called Rezum vapour therapy offers hope.
Now, let us delve deep into this promising treatment, exploring how Rezum vapour therapy provides a new approach to managing the troublesome effects of an enlarged prostate.
What is Rezum Vapour Therapy?
Rezum vapour therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
This therapy uses the heat energy stored in water vapour (steam) to shrink your enlarged prostate tissue. After the vapour condenses, the released heat energy will cause immediate and irreversible death of your prostate cells.
Over time, your body’s natural healing response removes the dead prostate cells, allowing your prostate to shrink.
What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that occurs as men age.
BPH is a common health condition among men, affecting 40% of men in their 50s and a staggering 90% of men over 90. It can cause bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) like urgency or frequency of urination, weak stream, incontinence, and incomplete bladder emptying.
If left untreated, BPH can cause other serious health problems, including kidney, bladder and urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and impaired kidney functions.
Hence, proper management of BPH through treatment is essential for maintaining a good quality of life as men get older.
Benefits of Rezum Vapour Therapy
As a relatively new treatment option for BPH, Rezum vapour therapy provides several key advantages:
- Can be done as Outpatient Procedure: Rezum can be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to go home the same day without an overnight hospital stay.
- Quicker Recovery: The minimally invasive nature of Rezum vapour therapy results in a much faster recovery period compared to Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) or laser surgery.
- No bleeding: Since there is no resection, the risk of bleeding is minimal.
- Less risk of incontinence: The risk of having urinary incontinence is minimal as there is no resection done.
- Preserves Sexual Function: Rezum thermal therapy preserves ejaculatory function in most men, avoiding the risk of retrograde ejaculation or erectile dysfunction sometimes seen with other treatments.
- Durable Results: Clinical studies show that Rezum’s therapeutic effects can last at least 4 years, with only around 4.4% of men requiring retreatment at 5 years.
- Repeatable if Needed: The Rezum procedure can potentially be repeated years later if BPH symptoms redevelop over time as the prostate continues enlarging.
With its favourable recovery profile and ability to preserve sexual function, Rezum offers an appealing treatment solution for men looking to regain their quality of life.
Downsides of Rezum Vapour Therapy
While Rezum vapour therapy is considered a relatively safe treatment option, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Certain pre-existing conditions could preclude men from being good candidates, including:
- Severely impaired kidney function
- Prior urethral implants or reconstructive surgery
- Prostate size greater than 80 grams
It is also crucial to have realistic expectations about the recovery process.
Some patients may need a catheter for 3-7 days following the procedure due to initial prostate swelling. Additionally, it can take 2-3 months to see the full therapeutic effects as the body reabsorbs the treated prostate tissue over time.
On the other hand, do note that some temporary side effects may occur after receiving Rezum vapour therapy:
- Pain or discomfort during urination or ejaculation
- Increased urinary frequency or urgency
- Blood in urine or semen
- Higher susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Dry or reduced ejaculation volume
- Narrowing of the urethra
Typically, these side effects will be resolved within 3 weeks as your body adjusts to the treatment.
If you are still deciding whether to pursue this treatment, our team of experienced urologists is here to provide personalised medical advice tailored to your needs.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss your options with us – your health and well-being are always our top priorities.
Procedures of Rezum Vapour Therapy
Ready to try Rezum vapour therapy? Let’s walk through the procedure so you know what to expect.
Before the Procedure
In preparation for your Rezum vapour therapy, there are a few steps your doctor may take.
If you take any blood-thinning medications, your doctor will likely ask you to stop them about a week before the procedure. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to start taking the night before your therapy.
Additionally, anti-inflammatory medications are typically recommended to be taken the day before and after the procedure to help manage swelling and discomfort after the treatment.
On the Day of the Procedure
Before your appointment, having a light meal and drinking plenty of fluids is recommended.
Once you arrive at the facility, you will be instructed to empty your bladder. The medical team will then check to ensure your bladder is fully drained to avoid having to remove any residual urine when the treatment is performed.
Plan to spend around 2 hours at the facility for the entire process. Before the vapour therapy begins, you will receive anaesthesia or sedation to ensure you remain comfortable throughout.
Once the preparations are complete, the Rezum procedure will be performed.
The Procedure
Here are the key steps of the Rezum vapour therapy:
- The Rezum device uses radiofrequency energy to heat water to 100°C to convert the water into water vapour (steam).
- A thin instrument is then inserted through your urethra and into your prostate gland. This allows for controlled doses of the steam vapour to be delivered directly into your enlarged prostate areas.
- The vapour is released in short 9-second bursts into your enlarged prostate tissue.
- As the vapour condenses into liquid, it releases its stored heat energy.
- This heat ablation kills the prostate cells in the treated areas, allowing your prostate gland to shrink over time.
- Multiple vapour injections are made in an overlapping pattern to ensure all obstructive tissue is targeted.
- Over the next few months, your body’s natural healing response will reabsorb and eliminate all the dead prostate cells.
For a clearer image of how Rezum vapour therapy works, please watch this video.
What to Do After Rezum Vapour Therapy?
After the therapy, your body will undergo inflammatory responses, which will take 2 to 4 months to resolve completely. However, you can typically notice an improvement in your symptoms within several weeks after the therapy.
Here are some tips on what to do after receiving your Rezum treatment to speed up your recovery:
Rest
- Plan to take it easy for at least the first day after your procedure. It’s best to spend at least a day resting at home after the treatment.
- For the first 2 weeks, avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting, running, and bike riding, but it’s okay to resume your normal daily activities.
Fluid Intake
- Drink plenty of water and fluids to help flush out blood in your urine.
- Avoid fluids that may irritate your bladder, such as caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, citrus juices, and alcoholic drinks.
Activity Restrictions
- No sexual activity or masturbation for the first 1 – 2 weeks to allow the treated area to heal.
Tips to Reduce Discomfort
- Take pain medications as needed and recommended by your doctor.
- Having a warm bath, sitting on a hot water bottle, or using a heating pad on the perineum can provide relief.
After your Rezum procedure, it is vital to monitor for potential complications and seek prompt medical attention if certain symptoms arise.
Contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital if you experience any of the following: fever, chills, uncontrollable diarrhoea, inability to urinate, or severe pain not relieved by the medication prescribed for you.
These could be signs of an infection or other serious issues requiring evaluation and treatment by medical professionals.
Book Your Appointment at Island Hospital
For men seeking an alternative to medications or surgery in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Rezum vapour therapy is proving to be a game-changer.
Ready to bid farewell to frequent urination, weak stream, and other frustrating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms?
Schedule an appointment with Island Hospital’s Urology Department today. Our experienced urologists will evaluate if you’re a candidate and create a personalised Rezum vapour therapy treatment plan aligned with your needs.
Take control of your urinary health and improve your quality of life with this innovative solution for an enlarged prostate today.
Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.
FAQ
Is Rezum vapour therapy painful?
The procedure itself causes minimal discomfort as it is performed under anaesthesia. However, patients may experience some burning sensation or pelvic cramping for a few weeks after the procedure as the prostate tissue sloughs off.
What are the upsides and downsides of Rezum treatment?
The key advantages of Rezum vapour therapy include:
- Minimally invasive
- Can be done in an outpatient setting
- Has a quick recovery time
- No bleeding
- Less risk of incontinence
- Preserves sexual function
- Provides lasting symptom relief
- Repeatable if needed
How many years does Rezum vapour therapy last?
Studies have shown the therapeutic effects of Rezum can last at least 4 years.
However, the prostate can continue growing over time. Thus, some patients may require another Rezum therapy after several years.
Who is eligible and ineligible for Rezum treatment?
Men with moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are eligible for Rezum vapour therapy if their prostate size is 80 grams or less.
However, Rezum may not be recommended for men with certain pre-existing conditions, including:
- Severely impaired kidney function
- Prior urethral implants or reconstructive surgery
- Prostate size greater than 80 grams
If you are unsure whether Rezum vapour therapy is right for you, consider having an open discussion with your urologist. They can provide personalised medical advice tailored to your needs.
Why does Rezum vapour therapy fail?
Rezum vapour therapy can fail if the entire obstructive prostate tissue is not adequately treated during the procedure.
On the other hand, inadequate vapour dispersion may leave behind pockets of enlarged prostate tissue that could cause continued symptoms.
However, it is vital to note that such complications rarely occur, and the majority of patients experience successful results.
For those who still have symptoms, a repeat REZUM procedure can be performed, or the patients can undergo transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery. There is no contraindication for other forms of treatment after REZUM.
If you have any specific concerns about the procedure or its potential risks, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider before undergoing this procedure.
Why does Rezum vapour therapy fail?
In Malaysia, the total cost of Rezum vapour treatment ranges between RM 20000 and RM 23000 per patient.
