Connor Forbes, MD, on trends in surgical procedures for BPH

Recent data show that the use of minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs) for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing among men aged 50 to 65.¹

Overall, MIST utilization increased from 7% in 2015 to 51% in 2022 among men aged 50 to 54, supplanting TURP as the leading surgical modality for BPH. In the 55 to 59 and 60 to 65 age groups, MISTs made up 43% and 35% of procedures in 2022, respectively.

In a recent interview with Urology Times®, lead author Connor M. Forbes, MD, walks through these findings, which were initially presented at the 2025 American Urological Association Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Forbes is a urologist and assistant professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Data also showed that although the increase in MISTs was initially led by Prostatic Urethral Lift (PUL), Water Vapor Thermal Therapy (WVTT) appears to be gaining more traction. In patients aged 50 to 54, WVTT accounted for 15% of all MISTs in 2022, while PUL accounted for 36%.

Based on these data, Forbes concluded, “Overall, what we were seeing is a recent uptick in MIST utilization, particularly prostatic urethral lift and water vapor thermal therapy in younger men with BPH between the ages of 50 and 65.”

REFERENCE

1. Forbes CM, Aworunse O, Ezekekwu E, et al. Trends in surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) across age groups: analysis using real-world data 2007-2022. J Urol. 2025;213(5S):e200. doi:10.1097/01.JU.0001109776.58983.66.30