Efficacy of Rezum water vapor therapy for catheter-dependent urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A European multicenter study

Published Date: 01st March 2025

Publication Authors: Day. AW, El-Taji. O, McCabe. J

Abstract: 

Introduction & Objectives: This European multicenter study evaluated the efficacy of Rezum water vapor therapy in treating urinary retention among catheter-dependent patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Material(s) and Method(s): Data were retrospectively collected from multiple European centers on catheter-dependent BPH patients treated with Rezum between July 2017 and August 2024. Inclusion criteria required all patients to have preoperative catheter dependency. Variables analyzed included patient age, prostate volume, number of injections, procedure duration, hospital stay, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL) score, and changes in prostate volume and PSA levels. The primary endpoint was catheter independence, with secondary endpoints including IPSS, QoL, prostate volume, and PSA levels.
Result(s): A total of 125 catheter-dependent patients (mean age 74.5 +/- 9.8 years, mean prostate volume 65.4 +/- 30.7 cc) were included. Of these, 88 patients (70.4%) had a prostate volume <80 cc, while 23 patients (18.4%) had a prostate volume 280 cc. A median lobe was present in 48 patients. The average number of Rezum injections per patient was 8.2 +/- 4.0, with a mean procedure duration of 9.8 +/- 5.5 minutes and an average hospital stay of 1.3 +/- 1.6 days. Catheter independence was achieved in 88.0% of patients within a median of 1.4 months (IQR 1.1) post-treatment. Significant improvements were observed in IPSS (mean reduction of 8.3 points, p < 0.001) and QoL score (mean improvement of 2.8 points, p < 0.001). Prostate volume decreased by 30.3% (p < 0.001), and PSA levels showed a mild reduction (mean change of -5.1 ng/mL, p = 0.107) over a median follow-up of 4.7 months (IQR 8.1).
Conclusion(s): Rezum water vapor therapy effectively restores catheter independence and significantly improves urinary symptoms and quality of life in catheter-dependent BPH patients across multiple European centers. This minimally invasive approach has a favorable safety profile, making it a promising alternative for patients who are unsuitable for surgery. Future research should explore long-term outcomes and compare Rezum therapy with other minimally invasive treatments.

Wolters, M; Day, A.W.; El-Taji, O.; McCabe, J; Et al. (2025). Efficacy of Rezum water vapor therapy for catheter-dependent urinary retention in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A European multicenter study. European Urology. 87(S1), p.452. [Online]. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0302-2838%2825%2900085-5 [Accessed 8 August 2025].

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