[Percutaneous, perineal, ultrasound-controlled implantation of 125iodine in prostatic cancer: technics, report of initial experiences and comparison with the retropubic method of implantation].

After a 4 years experience with the conventional retropubic operative free-hand technique the implantation procedure has been modified. For local therapy the volume of the prostate is measured endosonographically and biopsies are taken from defined areas of the prostate under transrectal ultrasonographic guidance using a puncture attachment (prostate mapping). According to the data of volumetry and pathology the brachytherapist calculates number and precise location of the seeds, which are inserted in a second procedure after diagnostic lymphadenectomy percutaneously and transperineally under ultrasonographic guidance with a afterloading technique. Since 1984 24 patients has been treated in this manner. Implantation procedure is described, preliminary clinical results are presented and the percutaneous technique is compared with the retropubic operative approach. The percutaneous, transperineal and ultrasonically guided 125Iodine implantation represents an alternative procedure to the radical prostatectomy and gives a good local tumor control in prostatic carcinoma with minimal side effects.