TUNA Therapy is a proven minimally invasive office-based procedure that destroys excess prostate tissue, which may improve urination. TUNA Therapy, which takes less than an hour (with some additional preparation time required), requires only minimal anesthesia, and allows you to return to many of your normal activities within 24-48 hours. About 40% of the patients need to be catheterized for 3 days on average. About 60% of patients do not require catheterization. TUNA Therapy is covered by Medicare in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

In the TUNA procedure, obstructive prostate tissue is destroyed (ablated) using radiofrequency (RF) energy. Only the obstructive tissue is destroyed. The urethra and the rest of the prostate remain intact..

Clinical studies have demonstrated that treatment with the TUNA system offers improved urine flow, excellent symptom relief and few side effects and adverse events when compared to traditional surgical treatment. In addition, in the clinical trials, there were no reports of incontinence and few reports of impotence. TUNA Therapy has been on the market since 1996.

Procedure
The TUNA procedure generally takes less than one hour, with some additional preparation time required. First, the patient is given a sedative and local anesthetic. Then the physician inserts a catheter into the urethra (urinary passage). The catheter projects small needles into the obstructing prostate tissue. The needles emit radiofrequency (RF) energy, heating the prostate. This results in destruction (ablation) of the obstructive prostate tissue. This therapy is intended to destroy only the obstructive tissue. The urethra and the rest of the prostate remain intact.

If you are not able to urinate after the procedure, the doctor may send you home with a catheter (a small tube attached to a urine collection bag). A catheter is needed in about 40% of the patients for a few days. About 60% of patients do not require a catheter. There is minimal discomfort post-TUNA; this can be relieved with over the counter pain medicines. Patients are able to return to their many of their normal activities within 24-48 hours. There are few side effects and adverse events. A patient will usually notice improvement within 2-6 weeks. However, results may vary depending on the severity, duration, and size of the prostate treated. 

 http://www.medtronic.com/tuna/