Transrectal elastographic monitoring of the transurethral balloon pressure in urethral dilation for catheter-dependent patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Foley’s catheter indwelling gives temporary relief for lower urinary tract obstruction, especially in case of severely symptomatizing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Several complications of long-term or frequent catheter indwelling have been reported in catheter dependent patients, specifically to those who are unfit for operative intervention. Our aim was to find a safe, non-invasive relief from symptom severity, as well as, incapacitating complications of Foley’s catheter in catheter-dependent patients. A total of 107 catheter-dependent men, or who had frequent Foley’s catheter indwelling in case of BPH, participated in the present study. Preliminary estimation of the post-micturition residual urine was obtained. Ultrasound elastography was used to assess the transurethral balloon pressure of the double balloon silicon-coated catheter, adjudicated by ureteromat, and maintained in situ for 6days in all patients. Basic follow up once-a-month has been performed up to 6months. Effectual urethral patency was noted in 89.7% patients at the end of the third month. The procedure was repeated for 11 patients shortly after 3months, for 7 patients after 4months and for 28 patients after 5months, with no reported prostatic urethral injury. No stricture recurrence was noted in 61 patients up to 6months. Preliminary results indicate that prostatic urethral balloon dilation in BPH catheter-dependent patients is inexpensive, safe, and would be a potentially effective option in maintaining the prostatic urethral patency. Elastographic justification of the transurethral balloon has proved to be helpful.