AAR Hospital, Kiambu Road./HANDOUT
AAR Hospital has performed Kenya’s first Rezum water vapour therapy procedure to treat benign prostatic enlargement (BPE), introducing a minimally invasive option for men experiencing symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
The hospital said the procedure marks a significant milestone in its efforts to expand access to advanced specialist healthcare in Kenya.
BPE, commonly known as an enlarged prostate, is a non-cancerous condition that becomes more common as men age.
It can cause painful urination, a weak urine flow, frequent trips to the toilet, particularly at night, and a feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully.
Rezum therapy offers an alternative to conventional prostate surgery. It uses the natural heat contained in sterile water vapour to target and destroy excess prostate tissue pressing on the urinary passage.
Over time, the body naturally absorbs the treated tissue. This helps improve urine flow and reduce urinary symptoms.
The procedure is minimally invasive and does not require surgical cuts. It can be performed under sedation and is designed as a short, day-case procedure.
Suitable patients can return home after treatment and resume normal activities relatively quickly.
Dr Patrick Mararo, a consultant urologist at AAR Hospital, said the treatment provides patients with another option for managing symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.
“This is an important milestone for urological care in Kenya. Rezum uses water vapour to treat the enlarged part of the prostate without the need for conventional surgical incisions,” said Dr Mararo.
He added that, for appropriately selected patients, the procedure could provide symptom relief while reducing the recovery period and treatment burden.
“For appropriately selected patients, it offers the potential for effective symptom relief with a shorter recovery period and less treatment burden,” he said.
Dr Mararo urged patients experiencing persistent urinary symptoms to seek medical assessment instead of assuming the changes are simply part of ageing.
“An enlarged prostate can significantly affect a man’s quality of life, particularly through interrupted sleep and difficulty with urination,” he said.
He said early assessment enables a urologist to establish the cause of the symptoms and discuss appropriate treatment options with the patient.
The introduction of Rezum therapy is part of AAR Hospital’s investment in specialist clinics and advanced medical services.
The hospital said it aims to bring more specialised care closer to patients in Kenya while reducing the need to seek certain forms of specialised treatment outside the country.
The procedure was made possible through collaboration among the hospital’s multidisciplinary team, including urology, anaesthesia, theatre and nursing professionals.
AAR Hospital said each patient with symptomatic BPE is assessed individually to determine whether Rezum therapy is an appropriate treatment option.