With increasing age, the prostate (prostate gland) tends to enlarge due to benign tissue growth. At an early stage, benign enlargement of the prostate does not cause any symptoms. As the size increases, there is increasing difficulty in urinating and frequent as well as nocturnal urination with trips to the toilet. In an advanced stage, prostatic hyperplasia can even lead to the patient being unable to urinate (urinary retention), which is to be considered a medical emergency and must be treated immediately by relieving the bladder.

The choice of therapy depends on the degree of suffering. In the case of symptoms, drug therapy is used at an early stage. If symptoms persist, an alternative procedure is surgery, e.g. transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to reduce the size of the prostate. The minimally invasive prostate embolization under local anesthesia offered in our clinic provides a gentle alternative to surgery.

You will be admitted to our ward on the morning of the intervention about which you have already been informed in advance with the attending physician. The actual intervention takes place in the radiology department. First, the puncture site in the right groin is sterilely covered and anesthetized before the intervention. Using a thin needle, the usually right inguinal artery is then punctured, and a small-bore catheter is advanced through it into the iliac artery. Embolization is then performed, i.e. small vessels are closed with tiny plastic beads, thus separating parts of the prostate from the blood supply. The entire procedure is monitored by X-ray fluoroscopy. After successful embolization, the catheter and sheath are removed in the groin, and after a short impression of the artery, a firm bandage (pressure bandage) is applied. This bandage remains in place until the following morning. During the entire procedure, an analgesic as well as fluid is already infused via a venous access route. In particular, pain therapy is continued after the procedure.

Aftercare can be divided into two phases. In the first phase, immediately after embolization, the focus is on pain therapy and anti-inflammatory measures in particular. For this purpose, you will be cared for on our ward. As a rule, patients can be discharged from inpatient care after two to three days. In the second phase, outpatient follow-up care follows. In the preparatory consultation, you have already been informed about "normal" complaints after prostate embolization, such as pressure pain, burning during urination or temporary blood in the urine or increased urinary retention. A slight increase in temperature can also be part of the so-called postembolization syndrome. Usually, the symptoms subside after one to two weeks. You should take the medications prescribed after discharge from inpatient treatment for the recommended period of time. In case of any complaints that seem unusual to you, you should contact us or your treating urologist. For this purpose, you can also reach us by telephone at our outpatient clinic.

• An acute infection or chronic inflammatory reaction in the pelvic region should not be present.
• In the presence of a malignant tumor of the prostate (prostate gland), embolization alone is not possible.
• Embolization of the prostate should not be performed if pelvic radiation treatment (percutaneous radiotherapy or afterloading therapy) has been performed previously.

This question should be discussed in advance with the patient, the referring physician, and the radiologist. After clarification of the indication, an appointment can then be made. Pre-registration is mandatory for organizational reasons and because of the necessary detailed patient information. Likewise, all medical documents/doctors' letters should be brought/provided in advance