Before HIFU Treatment
Patients are given two enemas two hours prior to the procedure. It is very important that the patient does not move during HIFU thus patients are given a light intravenous sedation and a spinal anesthesia.
During HIFU Treatment
There is no pain during treatment, A small probe inserted into the rectum emits ultrasound waves directly to the prostatic tissue. During the procedure, the Sonablate delivers real-time images of the prostate and the surrounding area giving the physician immediate and detailed feedbakc.Treatment time varies but generally lasts one to four hours depending on the size of the prostate.
Click on the image to watch an animation demonstration of how HIFU energy is delivered to the prostate.
After HIFU Treatment
Immediately after HIFU there is a one to two hour recovery period at the treatment facility and then you are discharged. Recovery is minimal. A catheter is inserted during the procedure that is usually worn for one to four weeks. People usually are up and walking around within hours after HIFU and can return to a normal lifestyle within a couple of days. Some HIFU patients experience frequency, urgency, mild discomfort or discharge in urinary stream. Studies performed outside the US report that potential side effects may also include urinary stricture (18%)2, retention (0.6%)1, incontinence (0.6%)1, erectile dysfunction (20%)1 and rectal fistula (1%)1
1 Five years experience of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound using the Sonablate device in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Toyoaki Uchida, et al. Dept. of Urology University of Tokai Hachioji Hospital. International Journal of Urology 2006.
2 Toyaki U., Shiro B., Akira I., et al., Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized prostate cancer: A multicenter study.Acta Urol. Jpn. Vol. 51, No. 10, 2005.
