News at UI Health

Dr. Ervin Kocjancic, the Director for the Division of Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Urology, announced that their first patient has been treated with the UroLift® System, the first permanent implant system to treat symptoms due to urinary outflow obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition common to men 50 years of age or older. Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2013, the UroLift System is designed to relieve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, while preserving sexual function.

"Our Urology Clinic at UI Health is committed to providing patients with the highest quality, most effective options to address their urology needs," said Dr. Kocjancic. "The UroLift System has an excellent safety profile and provides men suffering from an enlarged prostate a beneficial first-line treatment alternative to drug therapy or more invasive surgery. Importantly, the UroLift System provides fast and meaningful relief from BPH symptoms, improving overall quality of life for our patients."

The UroLift System permanent implants, delivered during a minimally-invasive procedure, act like window curtain tie-backs to hold the lobes of an enlarged prostate open. Patients recover from the procedure quickly, and return to their normal routines with minimal downtime.

Data from clinical trials showed that patients receiving UroLift implants reported rapid symptomatic improvement, improved urinary flow rates, and sustained sexual function. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life.  Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure.