In this video, Prof. Sherif Mourad — Professor of Urology at Ain Shams University and Head of the Urology Department at Katameya Clinic Hospital — discusses one of today's most talked-about topics in treating an enlarged prostate: minimally invasive surgical therapies, known worldwide as MIST. In this article we cover everything you need to know about these techniques — how they work, who they are for, and what to expect before and after the procedure.
What Is Benign Prostatic Enlargement?
The prostate is a small gland that sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. As men get older, the prostate gradually grows in many of them — a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is not cancer, but it squeezes the urethra and causes bothersome symptoms that affect quality of life, including:
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- A feeling that the bladder hasn't fully emptied
- A sudden, urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination or needing to strain
Treatment usually starts with medication, but many patients don't get enough relief, can't tolerate the side effects, or simply don't want to take pills for life. That is where a procedural solution comes in.
What Are Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapies (MIST)?
For many years, the standard surgical answer to BPH was removing part of the gland endoscopically or through open surgery — with longer anesthesia, a hospital stay, a recovery period and a possible impact on sexual function.
Minimally invasive therapies are a new generation of procedures that treat the enlarged tissue without a surgical incision and without traditional removal of the gland. They are very short procedures, most patients go home the same day, and — most importantly — they are designed to preserve sexual function.
As Prof. Sherif Mourad explains, the leading techniques today are:
- Rezūm: treating the prostate with water vapor (steam)
- EchoLaser: laser treatment delivered through the perineum under ultrasound guidance
- Aquablation: removing prostate tissue with a precisely directed high-pressure waterjet — one of the newest techniques
The two techniques available at Katameya Clinic Hospital are Rezūm and EchoLaser.
Rezūm — Water Vapor Therapy
How does it work?
Rezūm uses the thermal energy stored in water vapor. The urologist passes a fine instrument endoscopically through the urethra and injects small, measured amounts of sterile steam into the enlarged prostate tissue. As the steam touches the tissue it turns back into water and releases its heat, which destroys the excess cells. Over the following weeks the body naturally clears the treated tissue, the prostate shrinks and the urinary channel opens up.
What Prof. Sherif Mourad says about Rezūm
- It is a very simple procedure that takes no more than 4 to 5 minutes.
- It can be performed under spinal or general anesthesia.
- The patient can leave the hospital about an hour after the procedure.
- The patient goes home with a urinary catheter, which is kept for 4 to 10 days depending on the size of the prostate.
- Its key advantage is that it preserves sexual function, especially ejaculation.
EchoLaser — Transperineal Laser Treatment
How does it work?
With this technique, the urethra is not entered at all. Instead, very thin laser fibers are placed through the skin of the perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus) and guided precisely into the prostate using ultrasound imaging. The laser energy then destroys the enlarged tissue from within, and the body gradually absorbs it.
What Prof. Sherif Mourad says about EchoLaser
- It is also a simple procedure that many patients ask about.
- It is performed through the perineum under ultrasound guidance.
- The patient can go home the same day.
Rezūm vs. EchoLaser: What's the Difference?
Patients often ask how the two techniques differ. Both are minimally invasive, allow same-day discharge and preserve sexual function — but they reach the prostate in different ways and use different energy sources:
- Access route: Rezūm goes endoscopically through the urethra; EchoLaser goes through the skin of the perineum without passing through the urethra.
- Energy source: Rezūm uses water vapor; EchoLaser uses laser energy.
- Guidance: Rezūm is performed under direct endoscopic vision; EchoLaser is guided by ultrasound.
The right choice depends on the size and shape of the prostate, your symptoms, your general health and your personal preferences. Your urologist will recommend the best option after a full assessment.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
These techniques may be right for you if you:
- Have BPH symptoms that interfere with your daily life
- Haven't had enough relief from medication, or don't want to stay on it
- Prefer to avoid conventional surgery and a long recovery
- Want to preserve your sexual function
Not every case is suitable for these procedures, which is why everything starts with a careful assessment by a specialist.
Your Journey: Before and After the Procedure
Before the procedure
Your urologist will carry out a full assessment, which usually includes a clinical examination, urine analysis, a PSA blood test, an ultrasound to measure the size of the prostate, and a urine flow test — to determine the most suitable technique for you.
On the day
The procedure is performed in the operating room under appropriate anesthesia. It takes only minutes, and you go home the same day.
After the procedure
You may need a urinary catheter for a few days, and you may notice some temporary urinary symptoms in the first weeks while the body clears the treated tissue. Symptoms then improve gradually over the following weeks, with regular follow-up with your doctor.
Your Safety First: A New Kit for Every Patient
The video shows a real Rezūm case in the operating rooms of Katameya Clinic Hospital, where Prof. Sherif Mourad stresses a very important point: you should be reassured that your kit is brand new and opened inside the operating room for the first time, because it is designed for single use only — one kit per patient. This is one of the key safety and infection-control standards we are committed to.
Book a Consultation
If you are living with the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and want to know whether minimally invasive treatment is right for you, the Urology team at Katameya Clinic Hospital is here to help. Call our hotline 15027 or reach us on WhatsApp to book your appointment.
This article is for awareness purposes only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist.