Prostate artery embolisation
Prostate artery embolisation is a non-invasive procedure that shrinks the prostate to treat a range of urinary problems. We offer this safe and effective treatment as a day procedure in our first-class angiography suite at The London Clinic.
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What is it for?
Shrinking the prostate
Treatment overview
The prostate is a small gland, located in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder. It often grows larger the older a man gets.
Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is an innovative, non-invasive treatment that can quickly and safely shrink the prostate to treat urinary problems. At London Urologica, we carry out prostate artery embolisation in our state-of-the-art angiography suite at The London Clinic.
First, you will be thoroughly assessed by a world-class urologist to check your suitability for this type of treatment.
The PAE will then be performed by one of our leading urology consultants. The procedure usually takes around two hours and does not involve an overnight stay.
An expert multidisciplinary team will also support you throughout the day of your procedure and during your recovery. This typically takes around four hours.
FAQ'S
Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that is used to shrink an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This can help with the following problems:
• Reduced urine stream
• Frequently needing to wee
• Leakage of wee
• Trouble starting to wee
• Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
• A urinary tract infection
When compared to the surgical procedure TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate), PAE is often seen as a better option.
This is because PAE may:
• Maintain sexual function and fertility
• Reduce the risk of retrograde ejaculation (when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm)
• Result in no scars
• Lead to you returning to full mobility within 48 hours
• Result in little or no blood loss
A prostate artery embolisation at London Urologica typically involves a patient being admitted and discharged on the same day.
For the procedure itself, you will be laid on an X-ray table and sedated by a consultant anaesthetist. A thin plastic tube (catheter) is then inserted into an artery in your groin.
Using an X-ray for guidance, your consultant will thread the catheter into either your left or right prostate artery. Once the catheter is in the correct position, your consultant will slowly inject a fluid containing microparticles. The microparticles block the blood supply to the prostate gland, making the prostate shrink.
Your consultant will repeat the procedure on your other prostate artery.
Our world-class urological consultants, anaesthetists and nursing staff work together to minimise risks and support safe recovery.
No significant dangers are associated with prostate artery embolisation, but the procedure can:
• Result in a small bruise at the site of the injection.
• Cause mild pain during and after the procedure, which does not usually last more than one to three days.
• Fail in a very few cases because of the complexity of finding prostate arteries. If the procedure is not successful, TURP surgery could be used to shrink the prostate instead.
Most men go back to normal activities within 48 hours. However, it is sensible not to do anything too strenuous.
Your consultant will arrange a post-op appointment with you to discuss the effectiveness of the embolisation.