Bipolar prostate thermotherapy for the improvement of chronic prostatitis symptoms and ejaculation problems.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the new bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy device (TEMPRO) on urinary and sexual functions in patients with chronic prostatitis. Between April 2017 and September 2018, 42 male patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) were included. The patients had received at least 6 months of treatment via conventional medical treatments. NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI), International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function part (IEEF-EF), and Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP). The intravaginal ejaculation latency times (IELT) of the patients were recorded before and 6th months after the procedure. Bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy was applied with TEMPRO system containing a16Fr applicator. The mean age of the patients was 42.62 ± 8.25 years. All patients were treated with local anesthesia, and three patients were unable to complete the procedure. After 6 months, significant improvements were observed in the NIH-CPSI total (20.25 vs. 12.18; p < .001) and subgroup scores, PEP scores (0.98 ± 1.12 vs. 2.06 ± 1.03; p < .001) and IELT (68.24 ± 56.78 vs. 103.02 ± 188.56; p < .001). There was no significant difference between IIEF-EF scores. Symptomatic improvement was observed in 78.57% (33/42) of the patients. Bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy, which is a transurethral method in patients with CP/CPPS, decreases the severity of the disease and improvement of the symptom scores on urinary and sexual function. Additional studies are required to further evaluate treatment effectiveness.