Balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra. Work in progress.

Balloon dilatation of the prostatic urethra was performed in eight dogs and one human with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This was done in vivo in six dogs and in vitro in two dogs and one human. Follow-up study at 1-23 weeks showed persistent dilatation, which was documented both radiographically and pathologically. Technical improvements limited complications to the early phase of the study. While results are encouraging, extrapolation to humans is difficult.