Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is increasingly becoming the preferred treatment choice for men with an enlarged prostate. Dr Nigel Hacking has pioneered the minimally invasive procedure for treating enlarged prostate / benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the UK.
PAE can only be performed by a consultant interventional radiologist
However, only a few super-specialist consultants are qualified to provide this service and following NICE Approval, and their evidence-based recommendations they state, "This technically demanding procedure should only be done by an interventional radiologist with specific training and expertise in prostatic artery embolisation."
In his article, The benefits of prostate artery embolisation as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate, Dr Hacking points out the many benefits including the fact that unlike surgery, "the procedure is carried out using local anaesthetic and can usually be done as a day case". The procedure also preserves fertility and sexual function.
my prostate was the same size as that of a young man- down from 58mls to 26mls
Patients seem to agree and there is increasing evidence for the efficacy of this relatively straightforward procedure. Patients are happily providing feedback following their experiences with the treatment procedure. One patient in particular, Mr DW describes his experience after having received PAE to treat his LUTS as a result of an enlarged prostate.
He describes how the procedure was conducted by consultant interventional radiologist, Dr Nigel Hacking. Dr Hacking normally operates from his preferred hospital in Southampton, although is constantly on the international circuit meeting the demand for this new form of treatment. Mr DW seems to be pleased with both the painlessness and speed of the operation, as well as with the treatment outcome. He says, "At the three month follow up MRI scan in Southampton my prostate was the same size as that of a young man- down from 58mls to 26mls. In the daytime my urination is now pretty well normal". See - Prostate artery embolisation - the patient's view
