The Department of Urology at the SEHA-affiliated facility performed non-invasive prostate artery embolization, resulting in the patient no longer requiring a catheter to pass urine

Abu Dhabi, 25 August 2021:  Tawam Hospital, part of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, (SEHA), the UAE’s largest healthcare network, successfully treated a 75-year-old man who was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate grows in size hampering the passing of urine.

On a global scale, urinary symptoms of abnormal frequency in the passing of urine are present in 1 in 4 men by the age of 55 and in half of the men over 75 years.  Apart from benign prostatic hyperplasia conditions such as diabetes, bladder stones, diuretics (water retention relievers), kidney infection and prostatitis can also cause frequent urination. 

To help alleviate challenges with passing urine in patients with conditions that affect the prostate, Tawam Hospital offers patient-centric treatment plans like laser prostate surgery, TURP and UroLift, with future plans to introduce prostate steam treatment, a new minimally invasive therapy that uses steam to reduce the size of the prostate and alleviate symptoms. Prostate artery embolization is another non-invasive treatment method for the reduction of the size of the prostate.
Rashed Shamsi, a 75-year-old male visited Tawam Hospital after being diagnosed with BPH, which subsequently caused a complete blockage in the urethra forcing the fitting of a catheter (a urinary catheter is hollow, partially flexible tube that collects urine from the bladder and leads to a drainage bag). Despite medical treatment, he was still unable to pass urine as a result of his enlarged prostate, resulting in two failed catheter removals.

Commenting on his diagnosis, Shamsi said, “When you live with BPH, your life starts to revolve around your bladder and the nearest washroom. Getting up several times through the night and limiting liquid intake became normal elements in my day-to-day life.”

Due to Rashed’s medical history, he was an unfit candidate for common treatment solutions. In line with the facilities multidisciplinary approach, the Interventional Radiology team was consulted, and a non-invasive treatment plan was developed to include the non-invasive prostate artery embolization method, which involves blocking the blood supply to help reduce the size of the prostate and subsequently streamline the passing of urine.
The procedure was performed successfully at Tawam Hospital’s Interventional Radiology Suite, with Rashed now able to pass urine without the need for a catheter. 

Dr.  Muwafak Salman, Chairman of Urology, Tawam Hospital, said: “The highly qualified team of medical professionals in the Department of Urology and the wider Tawam Hospital team adopted a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure Rashed received an alternative treatment method that matches his age, complex status, and medical history. Our best-in-class treatment options and care provide one-stop service, with patient exams, diagnosis, and treatment plan development completed in one day. I am proud of the department in successfully treating Rashed and many other men suffering from urology conditions and urge men, especially those over the age of 55, to receive regular screening and checkups.”

The Department of Urology at Tawam Hospital provides comprehensive services treating urology and prostate conditions like erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, urethral cancer, infertility, and female urology.