Taiwanese doctors discuss BPH treatment options and medication safety

Medical professionals in Taiwan are highlighting new treatment options and systemic challenges regarding benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Dr. Tseng Wen-hsin of Chimei Hospital discussed aquablation therapy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses high-speed water jets rather than heat to remove tissue. This method aims to reduce impact on surrounding tissues and offers a personalized approach through robotic-assisted execution. Clinical studies indicate the procedure is effective for prostate volumes between 30 and 150mL, with low rates of side effects such as erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence.

Separately, urologists are addressing the issue of duplicate prescriptions for BPH medications. Dr. Li Bing-rui of Shin Kong Hospital noted that patients often seek care at multiple clinics when symptoms do not improve quickly, leading to overlapping prescriptions. Challenges with the national cloud medical record system, including long lists of medications and time delays in data uploads, make it difficult for busy doctors to identify existing prescriptions. Experts recommend that patients stick to consistent medical institutions to improve treatment tracking and safety.