Transurethral needle ablation for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (category III prostatitis): a randomized, sham-controlled study

Objectives. To investigate the effectiveness and durability of transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) in the treatment of symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) in a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled study. Methods. Thirty-three patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms of CPPS were randomized to either TUNA (n = 25) or urethrocystoscopy as a sham treatment (n = 8). The response to therapy was evaluated 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment using the Prostatitis Symptom Severity Index (PSSI), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), a visual analogue scale, and prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen, urinary flow, and residual urine volume measurements. Results. The PSSI decreased in both groups (TUNA group, P