Use of the Schelin Catheter® prior to water vapor thermal therapy shown to be cost-effective
A cost analysis from a French hospital published in the World Journal of Urology, shows that transurethral intraprostatic anaesthesia (TUIA) using the Schelin Catheter® prior to water vapor thermal therapy is cost-effective, as it is associated with reduced operating room occupancy and the elimination of the need for an anaesthesia team. [1]
The Schelin Catheter® is a transurethral catheter with a retractable needle, enabling sterile intraprostatic injections of pharmaceuticals during diagnostic and treatment procedures for the prostate. It is primarily used for transurethral intraprostatic anaesthesia (TUIA) during minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia, providing effective pain management and replacing the need for general or spinal anaesthesia.
Water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT) (Rezum™, Boston Scientific) was initially introduced as an in-office procedure, often requiring oral or intravenous sedation or a transrectal/transperineal prostatic nerve block. Despite these options, pain management remains challenging, and many European centres perform WVTT under general anaesthesia. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using transurethral intraprostatic anaesthesia (TUIA) with the Schelin Catheter® prior to WVTT as an alternative. [2-4]
The newly published cost analysis aimed to compare the costs of WVTT performed under intravenous sedation versus TUIA with the Schelin Catheter®. A micro-costing approach was used, analysing institutional data from a single hospital in France comparing costs for ten procedures (five per group).
Significant savings were observed in operating room occupancy and recovery room use. Median operating room time was reduced by 20 min, attributed to the elimination of anaesthesia induction and recovery phases.
The study concludes that TUIA with the Schelin Catheter® prior to WVTT is a cost-effective alternative, reducing resource utilization.
References:
- Saibi Y et al. Micro-costing analysis of Rezum™ therapy: comparing sedation and local anesthesia with the Schelin® catheter. World J Urol. 2025;43:124
- Siena G et al. Use of a Schelin Catheter for analgesia during Rezum treatment of the prostate. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2024;27:147-149
- Hamouda A et al. Use of the Schelin Catheter for transurethral intraprostatic anesthesia prior to Rezum treatment. Can J Urol. 2024;31:11756-11762
- Barriere H et al. Clinical experience and video description of minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic obstruction using the Schelin Catheter. Fr J Urol. 2024;35:102845