Allegheny Health Network Urologist Offers New Minimally Invasive Treatment for Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate
Monroeville, Pa. (PRWEB) October 24, 2016 -- Allegheny Health Network (AHN) urologist Dr. Frank Costa is now offering men suffering from enlarged prostate a new minimally invasive procedure called UroLift that can help relieve symptoms and allow men to forego medication while maintaining sexual function.
UroLift is the first permanent implant approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to relieve symptoms of urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate. It is a procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia or sedation in less than an hour. Dr. Costa performs the procedure at AHN Monroeville Surgery Center.
“Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate, is a very common condition that affects about 12 million men in the United States alone, about one in four men age 55 or older,” Dr. Costa said. “Particularly for men over age 70, it can significantly decrease quality of life, causing sleepless nights, urinary problems, loss of productivity and even depression. Until UroLift, the only options for these men were long-term medication and surgical treatments that potentially left them dealing with bothersome to severe side effects.”
Data from a randomized study shows that patients experienced rapid improvement with UroLift and continued to experience symptom relief with minimal side effects three years post-procedure. Most patients return to normal activity within days of undergoing the procedure.
Medication may only temporarily relieve symptoms of BPH and may cause side effects such as sexual dysfunction, headache and dizziness. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a common surgical treatment, can relieve symptoms very effectively, but may also result in permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
Using the UroLift system, the urologist goes through the urethra to push aside obstructive prostate lobes and hold them in the retracted position. This opens the urethra while leaving the prostate intact.
“We are committed to providing patients with the highest quality, most effective options to address their urology needs,” Dr. Costa said. “The UroLift system has an excellent safety profile and provides fast and meaningful relief from BPH symptoms, improving overall quality of life for our patients.”
To learn more or schedule an appointment please call 412.373.2333 or 412.380.5264.
About the Allegheny Health Network:
Allegheny Health Network (ahn.org), part of Highmark Health, is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is comprised of eight hospitals, including its flagship academic medical center Allegheny General Hospital, Allegheny Valley Hospital, Canonsburg Hospital, Forbes Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Saint Vincent Hospital, Westfield Memorial Hospital and West Penn Hospital; an employed physician organization, a research institute, health + wellness pavilions, home and community-based health services and a group purchasing organization. The Network employs approximately 17,000 people, and has more than 2,400 physicians on its medical staff. The Network also serves as a clinical campus for Temple University School of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Doug Braunsdorf, Allegheny Health Network, +1 412-522-7112, [email protected]
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