A new, proprietary drug-coated balloon technology is creating a paradigm change in how two common urological disorders — BPH and urethral stricture — are treated
Urethral strictures — a common urological disorder — had 40-year-old Orlando resident Brett Hampton going to the bathroom 20 to 25 times per day.
“I was building my entire life around this,” Hampton said. “I always had to make sure there was a bathroom nearby.”
Hampton’s struggles may sound familiar to the many men with urological disorders that impact their quality of life. Anterior urethral strictures, or a narrowing of the urethra that restricts urine flow, can lead to a variety of medical problems. Another common condition as men age is enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Symptoms include an urgent need to urinate, nighttime urination, bladder damage, urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, incontinence, and more. BPH affects 70% of men in their 60s and 80% of those in their 70s and beyond.
Transformative balloon technology
Historically, BPH treatments included non-curative options, such as medications, which also come with side effects, or invasive surgeries with a higher risk of complication, recurrence, increased patient discomfort, and longer recovery times.
Today, there is a paradigm-shifting option that is giving BPH and urethral stricture patients relief. Optilume®, a proprietary drug-coated balloon technology, is a minimally invasive treatment for men suffering from urethral strictures and BPH. The unique combination drug-device therapy technology has proven to be the standard of care for peripheral vascular disease and is now being used as a safe, effective, and long-lasting treatment option in the urology space. It’s the only minimally invasive BPH treatment that doesn’t require cutting, burning, steaming, lasering, or a permanent implant, and it doubles flow rate (a higher rate than any other minimally invasive surgical therapy).
Typically quick relief and recovery
The procedure can be performed in an office setting and patients typically see immediate relief, a quick recovery, and no impact on sexual function.
“My wife and I sat down and chose very carefully something I thought was best for me, and was lucky enough to have the Optilume procedure available in my area,” said Worthington White, an Army veteran in Woodbridge, Va., and BPH patient. “I couldn’t be happier, and I would gladly make that choice again and advise everybody that I care about to do the same thing — even strangers.”
A new standard
For urethral stricture sufferers, historically, surgery (urethroplasty) was the only possible cure. However, there’s a severe shortage of providers trained to perform it. Other treatments provide only temporary relief, as strictures commonly return. Optilume provides a cure and is simple for physicians trained in dilation, providing a solution to the significant issue of access to care.
Dr. Lucas Wiegand
Reconstructive Urologist, Orlando Health
Hampton, the Orlando resident who suffered from urethral strictures, connected with Dr. Lucas Wiegand, a reconstructive urologist with Orlando Health, who told him about the Optilume procedure.
“Urethroplasty was the standard but there’s been a paradigm shift,” Dr. Wiegand said. “My standard of care now is an Optilume balloon up front because it has the same chance of success as urethroplasty but with almost no side effects.”
