A cystoscope/catheter deploys the needles toward the obstructing prostate tissue and is inserted into the urethra directly through the penis under local anesthetic before the procedure begins.
[4] Some clinical studies have reported that TUNA is safe and effective, improving the urine flow with minimal side effects when compared with other procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and open prostatectomy.
[1][5][6] However, other studies have reported that the procedure has a high failure rate, with the majority of patients requiring retreatment.
[7] Some patients have reported long-term inflammation of their prostate after undergoing the TUNA process.
Vidamed was founded in 1992 by Edwards along with Ron G. Lax, Hugh Sharky and Ingemar Lundquist, in Menlo Park, California, before building an international global corporation headed up by Lyle F. Brotherton.