Prostate Artery Embolization in New Jersey
What is prostate artery embolization?
Prostate embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also called prostate enlargement. It’s a same-day procedure so you can return home afterwards.
When might I need prostate embolization?
You might need prostate embolization if BPH causes troublesome symptoms such as:
- Increased urinary frequency
- Increased urinary urgency
- Weak urine stream
- Urine dribbling after you’ve already urinated
- Difficulty fully emptying your bladder
- Discomfort during urination
Before scheduling a prostate embolization, you’ll need a full workup, such as urinalysis, digital rectal exam, prostate gland imaging, and possibly a test to rule out prostate cancer to make sure this procedure is right for you.
What Can I Expect During the PAE Procedure?
During a prostate artery embolization (PAE) procedure, you can typically expect the following steps:
- Preparation: You will be instructed to avoid eating or drinking for a specific period before the procedure. The medical team will review your medical history and perform necessary pre-procedure tests.
- Anesthesia: PAE is usually performed under local anesthesia. Sometimes, sedation may be provided to help you relax during the procedure.
- Catheter insertion: A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, typically in the groin area. This allows the interventional radiologist to guide the catheter to the arteries supplying blood to the prostate.
- Embolization: Small particles are injected through the catheter into the blood vessels to block or reduce blood flow to the prostate. This process is intended to shrink the prostate and relieve urinary symptoms.
- Monitoring & recovery: After the embolization is complete, the catheter is removed, and pressure is applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding. You will then be moved to a recovery area for observation.
- Post-procedure care: You will be given specific instructions on post-procedure care, which may include limitations on physical activities, medication guidelines, and follow-up appointments.
Recovery time can vary, but most patients can expect to go home the same day. It's important to attend follow-up appointments as scheduled to monitor your progress and ensure that the treatment is effective.
Contact us at (877) 595-9512 to schedule a full workup and prostate embolization appointment in New Jersey.
Your First Steps
How does prostate embolization work?
During the procedure, the team creates a tiny incision in your groin. They use a specialized type of X-ray guidance to locate the specific blood vessels that deliver blood to your prostate gland.
Then, they inject many microscopic plastic beads to block part of the blood supplying your prostate gland. The team then moves to the other side of your body to treat the blood vessels supplying that part of your prostate gland. They often use the same incision to treat both halves of your prostate gland.
What are the advantages of prostate embolization?
Prostate embolization can dramatically relieve the troublesome symptoms of BPH. The procedure requires just a tiny groin incision and only intravenous sedation — a sharp contrast to surgeries that typically require large incisions, general anesthesia, and significant downtime.
Some BPH treatments, like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), carry an increased risk of sexual side-effects like erectile dysfunction. Prostate embolization has less side-effects and a lower risk of complications than TURP. Some men may even experience improved sexual function once prostate embolization takes full effect.
How long does it take for prostate embolization to work?
Prostate embolization results usually take a couple of weeks to appear, and then the symptoms continue to improve over the next three or four months as the prostate steadily shrinks. The procedure won’t eliminate your prostate gland; it merely helps it return to a healthier size.
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