Role of Rezum in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: A review of the literature

The aim of this study was to review the available literature on the efficacy and safety of the Rezum system for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A revision of literature up to January 2021 was carried out. Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed archives were screened to identify all the relevant studies investigating the role of Rezum in the treatment of BPH. Randomized controlled trial (RCT), retrospective, prospective, observational, and comparative studies were included. Finally, 17 studies were included, five of which reporting data of a double blind Rezum RCT. Overall, 1,451 patients underwent Rezum procedure. All the studies performed a minimum of 3 months follow-up. Preoperatively, the mean International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) score was 19.8, mean Q(max) was 9.2mL s(-1), and mean PVR was 142 cc. At 3 months after surgery, the mean IPSS score was 1.5, mean Q(max) was 13.7mL s(-1), and mean PVR was 74 cc. Six studies investigated sexual function, most of them using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire and a few also the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ). Preoperative mean IIEF-5 score was 18.5, and the mean MSHQ score was 7.4. At the 3 months follow-up, the mean IIEF-5 score was 16.4, and the mean MSHQ score was 9.62. None of the studies reported intraoperative complications. Rezum system is a novel minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic BPH using transurethral water vapor thermal energy. It represents a cost-effective and safe procedure with durable relief of lower urinary tract symptom, preservation of sexual function, low complications rate, and short recovery time.