In Israel, a solution has been found for enlarged prostate without surgery

Millions of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia now have access to an effective and, importantly, non-surgical solution to a delicate problem. An Israeli company specializing in medical devices has created a device that allows patients to be relieved of the unpleasant consequences of tissue growth in the prostate in just a few minutes. The innovative technology has already been successfully tested at the Ziv hospital in Israel, and plans are underway to implement it in other medical institutions across the country.

The Israeli startup Butterfly Medical has developed an alternative to medication and surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They have created a simple, quick, and minimally invasive method to reduce pressure on the urethra and normalize bladder emptying function, which is impaired in most men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The prostate is located beneath the bladder, surrounding the upper part of the urethra. It is an important part of the male reproductive system, participating in sperm production: the gland produces a secretion that ensures the motility and viability of sperm. As men age, a series of changes occur in the male body, including hormonal changes, which lead to tissue growth in the prostate and an increase in its size. This condition is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The formed nodules of hyperplasia, as they grow, press on the urethra, which runs through the center of the gland, complicating the process of urine excretion from the body. After the age of 50, about 30% of men face this problem, and over the years, the number of those suffering from this condition only increases, reaching 65% by the age of 60. This makes benign prostatic hyperplasia one of the most common and unpleasant male ailments.

In modern urology, there are two main methods for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. The most commonly used is medication therapy, which involves the use of two groups of drugs: one reduces the size of the enlarged tissues, while the other selectively affects the tone of the bladder sphincter.

The problem with this method is that it is not effective for everyone. As a result, many men continue to suffer from the consequences of benign prostatic hyperplasia – kidney stones and pathological narrowing of the urethra, which causes difficulties with urination, requiring the insertion of a special catheter.

The second method, which is resorted to when medication therapy is ineffective, is surgical intervention, during which the doctor excises the enlarged tissues, returning the prostate to its normal size and thereby relieving pressure on the urethra. Although the operation is performed using minimally invasive methods, it requires hospitalization for several days, is traumatic, and carries the risk of complications, including bleeding and recurrent urethral stricture.

Non-surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Considering the imperfection of existing methods, researchers and doctors around the world have long been working hard to create an alternative solution to the problem, which would primarily serve as a replacement for surgical treatment. The closest option to the desired solution has been the installation of a stent in the narrowed part of the urethra – a thin tube with perforated walls that restores the lumen of the channel, normalizing urine flow from the bladder and preventing further narrowing under the pressure of the enlarged prostate. However, this method also has its drawbacks. Sand often accumulates on the stents, leading to stone formation. Additionally, they can cause pain, bleeding, and burning sensations.

The most optimal solution, free from the shortcomings of its predecessors, has been proposed by the Israeli company Butterfly Medical. Its developers created and patented a device in the shape of a butterfly that can be easily implanted under the mucous membrane of the prostate, lifting its lobes and keeping them in that position, thus preventing them from compressing the urethra and obstructing normal urination. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, takes up to ten minutes, and does not require surgical incisions or removal of prostate tissue.

The device developed by the Israelis is much smaller than the stents currently in use. Its design and placement prevent contact with urine, reducing the risk of infections and stone formation.

Two years ago, Hungarian urologists tested the innovative device: they implanted it in eight men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The technology demonstrated its effectiveness and safety – all patients experienced normalized bladder emptying function, with no significant side effects observed. One of the men undergoing experimental treatment, who previously had to wear a catheter constantly, no longer needed it after the installation of the "butterfly".

In Israel, the first medical institution to begin using the new device was the Ziv hospital in the city of Safed. To date, it has been implanted in three patients. According to Dr. Ran Katz, head of the urology department at the clinic, who monitored the procedure, none of the men subsequently experienced pain or discomfort, and they did not feel the presence of a foreign object inside. He also noted that the device can be safely removed at any time if necessary.

Urologists describe the procedure as simple to perform and brief, providing a long-term effect, requiring no hospitalization, and not causing complications. At the same time, they emphasize that there are some contraindications for its implementation. These include prostate cancer, previous radiation therapy, hypertrophy of the median lobe of the prostate, and previously performed surgeries on this organ.

The Ziv medical center continues to test the new technology and invites anyone interested for a consultation to assess the possibility of undergoing the treatment procedure. For participants in the study, the treatment will be free of charge.