London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Water vapour therapy
UROLOGICAL PROCEDURE FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (ENLARGED PROSTATE)
Steam treatment for treating non-cancerous enlarged prostates, with fewer side-effects compared to other traditional procedures
What is water vapour therapy for the prostate?
Water vapour treatment, also known as Rezum, for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) uses natural steam energy to ablate (shrink) enlarged prostate tissue. It uses a portable generator with a delivery device which is inserted into the urethra and guided to the affected prostate tissue.
The generator then heats up a reservoir of water (located outside of the body) producing steam or vapour. This is passed along the delivery device to a tiny needle with holes to ablate the targeted prostate area causing the effected tissue to shrink.
The procedure also reduces the risk of common side-effects associated with BPH treatments including erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation and urinary incontinence.
Benefits of water vapour therapy
- Day case procedure
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Reduced risk of urinary incontinence
- Reduced infection rates
- Could be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation
- Quicker recovery and return to daily activities
- Reduced risk of sexual side-effects
- Retrograde or dry ejaculation, erectile dysfunction
- Reduced bleeding
What happens during water vapour therapy?
The procedure is carried out under local or general anaesthetic, depending on your medical history.
A generator heats up a reservoir of water, producing steam which passes through the delivery system (usually a telescope) which is inserted into your urethra. The surgeon guides this steam as it is released onto the effected prostate tissue through a tiny needle to the targeted tissue area. The affected prostate cells are destroyed, which over time will shrink naturally.
The process takes between five and 10 minutes and is usually carried out as a day case procedure. This may differ depending on the severity of your condition. The procedure requires you to have a post-operative catheter for approximately one week.
A generator heats up a reservoir of water, producing steam which passes through the delivery system (usually a telescope) which is inserted into your urethra. The surgeon guides this steam as it is released onto the effected prostate tissue through a tiny needle to the targeted tissue area. The affected prostate cells are destroyed, which over time will shrink naturally.
The process takes between five and 10 minutes and is usually carried out as a day case procedure. This may differ depending on the severity of your condition. The procedure requires you to have a post-operative catheter for approximately one week.
Your consultant will be able to provide you with exact details on how to prepare for the procedure, which is usually performed in a day case setting. As with all surgical procedures there are some risks and other side-effects involved. Your consultant will discuss these with you.
This procedure allows patients to leave hospital without an overnight stay. However, there is always a risk associated with any surgery so it is advisable to bring an overnight bag with you.
Once your surgery is complete your consultant and nursing teams will tell you how the procedure went, the next steps and what to do when you go home. They will also advise you of any possible side effects.
Once your surgery is complete your consultant and nursing teams will tell you how the procedure went, the next steps and what to do when you go home. They will also advise you of any possible side effects.
Where possible, we suggest someone accompanies you during your stay so they can assist your journey home. We generally advise you do not immediately commence physical activity which may compromise your surgery. For example, refrain from driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle or going for a run.
Our Water vapour therapy locations
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.