📖 How does prostate embolization work?
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an interventional radiology technique that reduces the blood supply of the prostate by selectively occluding its feeding arteries. It leads to a progressive reduction in prostate volume and an improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), without surgery, without general anaesthesia, without retrograde ejaculation.
PAE is performed under local anaesthesia with light sedation, on an outpatient basis (discharge the same day or the next morning). It lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. Access is arterial — either femoral (groin) or radial (wrist) — and leaves no scar.
🔧 The procedure, step by step
Initial consultation — full work-up: PSA, urine culture, uroflowmetry, prostate MRI or transrectal ultrasound. Discussion of the results and of the indication.
Antibiotic prophylaxis — preventive antibiotics are given the day before or on the day of the procedure to prevent infection.
Arterial puncture — at the groin (femoral route) or wrist (radial route). A 4–5F introducer sheath is placed. Local anaesthesia at the puncture site.
Pelvic arteriography — complete mapping of the prostatic arteries under angiographic guidance. Identification and selective catheterisation of the left and right prostatic arteries.
Embolization — injection of calibrated microspheres (100–300 µm) into the prostatic arteries. Angiographic control of the occlusion. The embolic agent used at Cochin AP-HP is selected according to the anatomy.
Post-procedure monitoring — 4 to 6 hours in the recovery room. Discharge the same evening or the next day. A post-embolization syndrome (mild fever, pelvic discomfort) is normal in the first days.
📊 Results of prostate embolization
| Criterion | PAE (Cochin AP-HP) | TURP (surgery) |
|---|---|---|
| Retrograde ejaculation | ❌ 0% | ⚠️ 65–90% |
| General anaesthesia | ❌ No | ✅ Required |
| Hospital stay | Outpatient or 1 night | 2–5 nights |
| Risk of incontinence | Very low | 1–5% |
| Symptom improvement | 70–85% | 85–95% |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Book an appointment at Cochin AP-HP
Cochin Hospital · 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques · 75014 Paris
No extra fees · Tarif AP-HP opposable