Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous benign enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause urinary problems in men.
The symtpoms that are typically causes as a result of BPH, include urinary incontinence, which can range from some leaking to complete loss of bladder control, Irritative voiding symptoms and increased urinary frequency, urgency, and pain upon urination.
During the PAE procedure, a small catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin and guided to the prostate gland. Small particles are then injected through the catheter to block the blood flow to the prostate gland, causing it to shrink and reduce pressure on the urethra. The procedure is usually done under local anesthesia and takes about an hour.
PAE is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for many men with BPH. It can provide relief from urinary symptoms, such as frequent urination, weak urine flow, and difficulty starting or stopping urination, and it does not require an overnight hospital stay or lengthy recovery period.
Rarely complications can occur like hematuria, urinary tract infections, dysuria, acute urinary retention, all of which can be managed conservatively.