Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy Patient Instructions

Before Treatment

To help assess whether a patient is a good candidate for Rezūm, the doctor will use a flow rate bladder scan to see how well the patient is emptying. The patient may also be asked to keep track of the amounts of fluids that he drinks and voids. After this evaluation, the doctor may perform a prostate ultrasound and take a telescopic look at the prostate

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Your doctor will review the following with you to help in assessing the risks for the Rezūm procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia and help avoid unnecessary complications:

If you are allergic to any specific medication or food items.
If you are taking blood thinners such as aspirin, warfarin, herbal supplements, or any other such medications.
If you or your family members have a history of bleeding disorders, or if there is a tendency to bleed more than normal.
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, chest pains, or have previously suffered from a heart attack.
If you have ever been diagnosed with blood clots in your leg (deep vein thrombosis) or lung (embolism of the lung).
A list of all previous surgical procedures you have undergone.

The physician will evaluate your medical history to gain a comprehensive knowledge of your overall health status, including information related to the medications that are currently being taken.

Some medications increase a person’s chances of bleeding and it may be recommended to discontinue them for a period of time before the procedure is performed.

The procedure is generally well tolerated and has minimal contraindications, however you doctor will review the possible complications and contraindications with you to ensure that a good decision is made and that you have your questions answered.

Pre-Procedure Instructions

At the pre-procedure visit, the patient receives detailed instructions on pre- and postoperative care. He will also receive an antibiotic prescription that should be started the night before the procedure. Anti-inflammatories are given the day before and after the procedure. An alpha blocker prescription may be given to improve the flow of urine after the procedure.

Once you have made the decision to have the Rezūm water vapour therapy you will have some pre-procedure instructions to follow, which may include:

On the day of the procedure, a light meal and lots of fluids are recommended.
The procedure itself is quick and simple, taking only a single office visit. Depending on the size of the prostate, the procedure consists of two to seven injections, each nine seconds long.
Upon arriving, you will be instructed to eliminate urine, and the bladder is then checked. If there is still more urine in the bladder, it’s drained to avoid having to drain it during the procedure.
Both the prostate and the penis are numbed. The Rezūm device is inserted, a needle is deployed, and vapor is injected into the prostate for nine seconds. This vapor disperses between cells, then cools, releases heat, and gently disrupts the prostate’s cells.
Because of the initial swelling, a catheter is then inserted, which will remain for two to five days. The catheter is hooked to a bag that stays on the leg and is covered by pants. A driver is required to take the patient home.

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Rezūm Procedure Details

On the day of the procedure, a light meal and lots of fluids are recommended.

The procedure itself is quick and simple, taking only a single office visit. Depending on the size of the prostate, the procedure consists of two to seven injections, each nine seconds long.

Upon arriving, the patient will be instructed to eliminate urine, and the bladder is then checked. If there is still more urine in the bladder, it’s drained to avoid having to drain it during the procedure.

Both the prostate and the penis are numbed. The Rezūm device is inserted, a needle is deployed, and vapor is injected into the prostate for nine seconds. This vapor disperses between cells, then cools, releases heat, and gently disrupts the prostate’s cells.

Because of the initial swelling, a catheter is then inserted, which will remain for two to five days. The catheter is hooked to a bag that stays on the leg and is covered by pants. A driver is required to take the patient home.

After Treatment

Post Procedure Reaction & Recovery

After the Rezūm procedure, the body creates an inflammatory response, which takes two to four months to completely resolve. Initially, there will be swelling in the prostate, which can cause restriction of flow and cause more difficulty and frequency of urination.

Symptoms will get worse before they get better. Generally, at two weeks symptoms begin to stabilize. At four weeks, patients are back where they were before the procedure, and at six weeks patients start to get off medication.

Erections are not affected by the Rezūm procedure. There is a one to two percent chance of retrograde ejaculation, which occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of the penis, causing very little to no semen to be ejaculated. This is a significantly lower percentage than in other prostate procedures.

Potential Side Effects

Rezūm is a minimally-invasive procedure and has fewer side effects compared to surgical therapies. The main precaution after the procedure is limiting strenuous activity until the catheter is removed. However, as with any intervention, some of the following side effects may occur for a short period of time:

Painful urination
Blood in urine
Blood in semen
Frequent urination
Inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder
Need for short-term catheterization

Follow instructions and take any medications prescribed by the urologist, including:

Avoid all activities that are physically strenuous for about 2 weeks after the surgery (per physician’s advice)
Avoid sex till a complete healing has taken place (as advised by your physician)
Avoid taking nonprescription medications
Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco
Eat healthy food rich in vegetables and whole grains

In a majority of cases, individuals are able to fully recover from the procedure within a few days to a week. They often note an improvement in BPH symptoms within a few weeks and after 3 months, most individuals are able to feel a complete relief from the symptoms.