Efficacy of high-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy in alleviating medically refractory urinary retention due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objectives: To determine the efficacy of high-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (HE-TUMT) in treating patients with medically refractory complete urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods: Between April 2000 and July 2003, 39 patients in urinary retention due to BPH were treated with HE-TUMT. A Foley catheter was reinserted after HE-TUMT and removed at 3 weeks for a voiding trial.