16 September 2015
NICE recommends new device which avoids surgery for enlarged prostate glands
A new device for relieving the urinary tract problems caused by enlarged prostate glands in men is recommended in new NICE guidance.
The UroLift system is recommended for treating the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia – a condition where an enlarged prostate can push against the urethra, making it difficult for a man to pass urine. Using the UroLift system involves inserting implants to move the excess prostate tissue away from the urethra, which stops the extra tissue blocking the flow of urine. The system avoids the need to cut or remove the extra prostate tissue, which are the methods commonly used to treat a urine blockage caused by an enlarged prostate.
The UroLift system is designed for use in men aged 50 years or older with urinary tract symptoms, where the size of their prostate is less than 100cm3. The benefits of the system include avoiding risk to sexual function, and a reduced length of hospital stay because treatment with UroLift can be carried out as a day procedure. The guidance estimates that savings of up £286 per patient could be made using this system when compared with other treatments.
Prostate enlargement is a common condition in older men – around 60% of men aged 60 or over have some degree of prostate enlargement. Along with difficulties passing urine, an enlarged prostate gland blocking the urine tract may lead to severe urinary tract infections, urinary retention or renal failure. If drug treatment and conservative management options have been unsuccessful or are not appropriate, then surgery is offered when problems passing urine are severe.
Professor Carole Longson MBE, Director of the NICE Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, said: “We’re pleased to publish this new guidance recommending the UroLift system for treating enlarged prostates in men over 50 years old with urinary tract symptoms. An enlarged prostate gland can lead to problems in passing urine and other urinary tract symptoms for many men as they get older. Based on the evidence examined, the independent Medical Technologies Advisory Committee concluded that as well as benefiting patients it’s also likely to benefit the NHS by saving money when used in day surgery.”
The medical technology guidance for the UroLift system is available at http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg26.
ENDS
For more information call Dr Tonya Gillis at the NICE press office on 0300 323 0142, or out of hours on 07775 583 813.
Notes to Editors
About the NICE guidance
1. The medical technologies guidance, “UroLift for treating lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia”, is available at http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg26 from Weds 16 September.
2. The UroLift system is manufactured by NeoTract.
3. The cost of the UroLift system (comprising 1 delivery device and 1 implant) stated in the company’s submission is £330 (excluding VAT). An average of 4 implants is used for each procedure so the typical per-patient cost is £1320.
4. Cost modelling estimates that using the UroLift system in a day surgery unit results in cost savings of around £286 and £159 per patient compared with monopolar and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) respectively. The primary cost driver in the modelling is the unit cost, and number of implants used per treatment. Approximately 15,000 prostate resection procedures (such as TURP where prostate tissue is cut away) are carried out each year in England and Wales.
5. NICE issued guidance supporting the procedure of inserting prostatic urethral lift implants (such as the UroLift system) to treat lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia in January 2014: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg475.
6. NICE issued guidance supporting the use of the TURis system for transurethral resection of the prostate (a bipolar electrosurgery system to cut away or vaporise excess prostate tissue) in February 2015: http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg23.
About the Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme
7. The Medical Technologies Evaluation Programme focuses specifically on the evaluation of innovative medical technologies, including devices and diagnostics. The types of products which might be included are medical devices that deliver treatment such as those implanted during surgical procedures, technologies that give greater independence to patients, and diagnostic devices or tests used to detect or monitor medical conditions. The independent Medical Technology Advisory Committee has two core remits: selecting medical technologies for evaluation by NICE guidance programmes and also developing medical technologies guidance itself. The guidance applies to the NHS in England, and is not mandatory. More information is available at http://www.nice.org.uk/MT.
About NICE
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body responsible for driving improvement and excellence in the health and social care system. We develop guidance, standards and information on high-quality health and social care. We also advise on ways to promote healthy living and prevent ill health.
Our aim is to help practitioners deliver the best possible care and give people the most effective treatments, which are based on the most up-to-date evidence and provide value for money, in order to reduce inequalities and variation.
Our products and resources are produced for the NHS, local authorities, care providers, charities, and anyone who has a responsibility for commissioning or providing healthcare, public health or social care services.
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