Prostatic obstruction

The human prostate gland, of undoubted importance in reproductive physiology, is one of the commonest causes of clinical urological problems in the male. Yet surprisingly little is known about its innervation, response to drugs and its physiological role. Its benign disorders (prostatic hyperplasia with resulting bladder outflow obstruction, bladder neck dyssynergia, prostatitis, prostatodynia), while well recognised clinically, are also poorly understood. Urodynamics has only recently been routinely employed in the quantitative assessment of the lower urinary tract. This book concisely and critically reviews the current "state of the art" concerning basic science data on the bladder and prostate, as well as their changed functions in benign hyperplasia. The text deals with basic science aspects, presents the reasons for prostatectomy, reviews contemporary techniques and their safety, and examines recent work on the pharmacotherapy of benign hyperplasia. By combining clinical practice with basic science, as applicable to clinical problems, it provides a clear and succinct presentation of these topics.