Putting men out of their misery

Dr Cheng Kwun-chung, Bryan
Associate Consultant (Surgery)
United Christian Hospital

Benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) and sexual dysfunction, which are typically known as ‘misery of men’, are common diseases of the genitourinary system among ageing men. Dr Bryan Cheng is committed to enhancing the efficiency of treatment by introducing advanced surgical techniques. He also established the Men’s Health Clinic to relieve worries of men with sexual dysfunction.

Men aged over 50 have a 70% chance of enduring lower urinary tract symptoms which may be related to BPO. Symptoms including interrupted or weak urinary stream and dribbling at the end of urinating, cause the patients persistent suffering. However, not every patient is suitable to undergo traditional transurethral prostatectomy surgery. To accommodate the needs of patients with large prostates (i.e. over 80 grams), Dr Cheng travelled to Shanghai to master the technique of Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate and introduced it into Hong Kong. With the use of laser, the doctor can completely cut and remove the enlarged prostate tissue along the prostate capsule. The prostate tissue is then fragmented and suctioned out. This surgery is more radical than conventional surgery, with a low recurrence rate. Patients can usually be discharged one to two days after the surgery. For the high surgical risk patients in refractory urinary retention, Dr Cheng first introduced Prostate Artery Embolization in Hong Kong as an alternative. The procedure is to stop the blood supply of the vessels that feed the prostate. The necrotic prostate will shrink and relieve the urinary tract.

Hong Kong people are embarrassed to visit doctors for help with intimate below-the-belt problems. Dr Cheng then took the initiative to establish the first Men’s Health Clinic in Kowloon East Cluster in Tseung Kwan O Hospital, providing treatments for male patients with sexual dysfunction. “Patients are more likely to talk about their problems during the closed-door consultation, and they will feel more comfortable if we use more layman’s terms in discussion. This can facilitate diagnosis and treatment,” says Dr Cheng.