Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate

Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA)
Intervention
ICD-9-CM	60.97
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Transurethral needle ablation (also called TUNA or transurethral radiofrequency ablation) is a technique that uses low energy radio frequency delivered through two needles to ablate excess prostate tissue. A cystoscope/catheter deploys the needles toward the obstructing prostate tissue is inserted into the urethra directly through the penis under local anesthetic before the procedure begins. The energy from the probe heats the abnormal prostate tissue without damaging the urethra. The resulting scar tissue later atrophies, reducing the size of the prostate which in turn reduces the constriction of the urethra. It can be done with a local anesthetic on an outpatient basis. It takes about an hour to perform the procedure. It takes about 30 days for the ablated prostate tissue to . Patients should have an annual rectal prostate exam for their doctor to feel the prostate health with a lubricated gloved finger.

needle ablation can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Some clinical studies have reported that TUNA is safe and effective, improving the urine flow with minimal side effects when compared with other procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy. However, other studies have reported that the procedure has a high failure rate, with the majority of patients requiring . Some patients have reported long-term inflammation of their prostate after undergoing the TUNA process. This is known as chronic prostatitis.

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