The PLASMA treatment from a patient's perspective
Watch what you can expect before, during and after the BPH PLASMA treatment in our explanation video.
What is PLASMA?
Substances can be solid, liquid, gas or PLASMA. In more detail, gas molecules are energised, which turns the gas into PLASMA. PLASMA is one of the four fundamental states of matter. About 99% of visible matter in the universe consists of natural PLASMA, including the Northern Lights, solar winds, the sun, and lightning. PLASMA is used every day in modern medicine, e.g. for the treatment of chronic wounds and skin diseases, in gastroenterology and in surgery.
What happens during the BPH PLASMA treatment?
Before the PLASMA treatment:
- Recommendations and special preparations need to be discussed with your doctor. Probably you will be asked not to eat or drink before your treatment.
- You will be brought to the treatment room and placed on a treatment bed. Normally you will receive general anaesthesia for the procedure so that you are asleep.
During the PLASMA treatment:
- Generally the complete PLASMA procedure will take less than 1 hour.
- Your doctor will fully inspect your urethra and bladder.
- With a special device the innovative and gentle PLASMA is used to remove the tissue from your prostate that is blocking the urinary channel. The device glides on a gas layer over the tissue, smoothly vaporising it without cutting or direct contact. The obstructing tissue cell structure is removed carefully and with low operating temperature and the urinary channel is unblocked.
- As with all urology surgeries, after further inspections your doctor will insert a temporary flexible catheter into your urethra. You will then be transferred to the recovery room.
After the PLASMA treatment:
- Depending on your medical condition you can slowly return to your normal routine and expect symptomatic relief within the next few days.
- Typically you will have a follow-up visit every few months. Your doctor will discuss your post-procedural plan with you.