Randomized Double Blind Study Comparing the Effectiveness of Balloon Dilation of the Prostate and Cystoscopy for the Treatment of Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

We attempted to determine the effectiveness of balloon dilation of the prostate for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 33 men with symptomatic BPH signed informed consent to participate in a randomized, double-blind study comparing balloon dilation of the prostate and cystoscopy. Balloon dilation of the prostate and cystoscopy were performed with the patient under intravenous sedation after intraurethral instillation of viscous lidocaine and infiltration of the autonomic neural innervation of the prostate with 1% lidocaine. Efficacy was based upon improvement in Boyarsky symptom scores, increases in peak urinary flow rates and patient global assessment of symptomatic improvement. Efficacy was assessed at 1 and 3 months after treatment. A study nurse blinded to the randomization scheme administered the symptom score questionnaires and supervised the uroflowmetry studies. The study was randomized, since the mean baseline prostate sizes, peak urine flow rates, obstructive and irritative symptoms scores, post-void residual volumes and patient ages were similar in the 2 groups. The patient perceptions of treatment rendered were similar for the 2 treatment groups, confirming that the study was double-blind. The patients undergoing cystoscopy and balloon dilation of the prostate experienced a statistically significant improvement in the mean total symptom scores at 1 and 3 months. The mean total symptom scores after balloon dilation of the prostate and cystoscopy at 1 and 3 months were not significantly different. The mean peak urinary flow rates 1 and 3 months after balloon dilation of the prostate and cystoscopy were not significantly different from the baseline mean peak urinary flow rates. We demonstrate that balloon dilation of the prostate and cystoscopy are equally effective for the treatment of BPH. Since cystoscopy is considered a diagnostic modality, our study suggests that the efficacy previously observed after balloon dilation of the prostate is primarily placebo-related. The study does not support the indication of balloon dilation of the prostate for the treatment of symptomatic BPH.