PAE vs. Urolift
Posted , 23 users are following.
Newbie on this form and so glad to have found it. really appreciate all the 'bearing of soul" from the participants, helps to know you are not alone.
I live in Texas and was scheduled to have PAE next week. After reading this forum I found out about Urolift. Short on time I emailed Dr. Kella in San Antonio. To my surprise he emailed me back and saw me the next day. Did a number of test and I am a candidate for Urolift. My local urologist in Mcallen really missed the ball on my issue, but that is another story.
Bottom line is does anyone have any results comparing PAE vs. Urolift? Both are relatively new procedures. I have researched, but haven't come up with anything yet.
My options are PAE at UNC CHAPEL HILL or Urolift with Dr. Naveen Kella in San Antonio.
Any feedback on either procedure and/or Dr. Kella and UNC would be appreciated.
1 like, 21 replies
RonTexan soben
Posted
Dr Kella should be a good choice for Urolift, as he would be one of the more experienced urolift surgeons, especialy in Texas. I believe that urolift is a reasonably good solution to quickly get you off the meds and buy you some time if you just can't stand the thought of a more-invasive procedure and you want to wait and see if better solutions come along. Your prostate will likely continue to grow and eventually you'll be facing another surgery.
My opiinion, based upon my experience alone, as I have said many times on these threads, knowing what I know now, when time comes for either medications or surgery I would find some way to have the HOlep procedre done as I did in October. It was painless and trouble-free except for the trip to find a Holep surgeon as it is not done in Texas. I am now 100%, like I never had a problem.
Whatever you decide, best of luck to you and don't forget to give back by posting your experience here. There are many thousands of BPH sufferers who can benefit from your experience.
richard_39772 RonTexan
Posted
The availability of alternative minimally invasive procedures continues to explode. I am in the research stage having had a greenlight about 12 years ago with symptoms gradually reappearing----not nearly as bad as the last time as of now--but I wanted to get ahead of the curve.
I have run into an incorrect stricture diagnosis by a urologist so I am particularly wary right now.
Regarding HOLEP, I have read it is particularly helpful for men with very enlarged prostates. Mine is large, apparently about 60 grams, but not massive.
Any comments about REZUM, EUROLIFT, and PAE would be appreciated.
ChuckP soben
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ChuckP soben
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hungupdown soben
Edited
Just had 1 month check up.
Prostrate volume was 163ml now 136ml (a normal size is 30ml).
Retained urine volume: was 127ml
, now 2.5 ml.
Used to need bathroom 4 or 5 times a night - every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Now maybe neef one visit, but usually go 7 or 8 hours - the whole night.
Only negative side effect, had been blood in semen from about weeks 3 to 4, though now seems clear.
I was also suffering complete retrograde ejaculation, for about the last year. Things here also seem to be returning to normal.
I travelled from Scotland, could have gone to Southampton but believe they had only done the procedure 15 times. I was prof Pisco's PAE patient 732, and total price with flights and stay was less than UK price.
I'm 59. The CT scan showed I should be a straightforward case. But one artery did an acute angle turn. Ended up the professor had to use a special catheter for the very first time. He said afterwards that he doubted Southampton would have been able to do this.
So very glad I chose Madrid.
Just found out that Hospital St Louis had now done over 20,000 embolisims. Embolism of Uterine fibroids started about 20 years ago. so not a new idea. I guess procedure has just been adapted to the prostate.
soben
Posted
I am leaning towards the urolift prcedure. Seems to be the least invasive. Might have another issue - neurogenic bladder. So I am waiting on the results.
I will keep you updated with the results. Hopefully will help someone else.
pete49545 soben
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pete49545 soben
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nealpros pete49545
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Neal
dan93230 soben
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I'd like to try to stir up this discussion. Seems to me that PAE v Urolift is THE question of the moment. If you have experience or perspective on this, can you please contribute.
Here's what's true about both procedures:
Relatively new (no longterm studies, but lots of positive short-term and anecdotal evidence)
Neither has risk of sexual side effects or incontinence. So who would want to do anything else, if one of these might be sufficient?
$5k - $15k
Minimally invasive. Inpatient.
Good results for most men, though not all. Can take a couple months or more before full benefits are realized.
Not clear yet how long results last.
Having a medial lobe can compromise results for both
PAE involves radiation (though acceptable levels?). Urolift recovery can be tough for a week.
I'm trying to decide between them. So any insights appreciated. Thanks.
Dan
dan25410 dan93230
Posted
Have you heard of any updates about these procedures in the past 5 years?
billy16089 dan93230
Posted
Hello,
I had a UroLift about 3 years ago. Didn't work so well for me. I have a bit of a median lobe which the Dr. told me didn't exist. On a routine visit for recurring prostatitis the NP told me the UroLift failed because of my med lobe! Huh...I was very specific about this prior to surgery. The Dr screwed me for the $$.
Billy
Nick2468 billy16089
Posted
Sounds similar to me, not sure if I have a med lobe or not, but urolift didnt work, in fact just gave me a chronic condition, dr did it for the money only, I get recurring prostatitis as well.
I am seeing a new URO soon and asking to have it removed.
Carry-on_CMDR soben
Edited
My internist agreed that TURP would personally be his last choice, given the side effects. As to PAE, he was not familiar with the procedure, so I gave him a printout of the web page from Tampa General Hospital, the gold standard in this area, and he noted there it is currently in medical trial and it is not yet an FDA approved procedure.
He advised that means insurance would probably not cover the procedure, yet.
Have any of those who've had PAE done been able to get their medical insurance to pay for this procedure?
According to NIH, by the way, the clinical trials are being done at 8 US hospitals (3 orther US hopsitals had withdrawn), plus 1 in Europe. The Clinical Trials identifier is NCT01789840.
dan25410 Carry-on_CMDR
Posted
Any news on the PAE procedure? Has it been covered by any insurance companies?
Pdp1145 Carry-on_CMDR
Edited
It looks like it was approved in July 2018: https://www.radiologybusiness.com/topics/care-delivery/fda-approves-minimally-invasive-cheaper-option-prostate-surgery