Traditional surgery for BPH symptoms
Traditional surgery is an option for men with moderate-to-severe enlarged prostate
(BPH) symptoms. Traditional surgery takes
place in an operating room and requires hospitalization afterward.
Men with severe symptoms often notice the greatest improvement in their quality
of life following surgery. However, surgery requires weeks of recovery and healing
and possible side effects include sexual problems such as the inability to get an
erection (impotence).
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
TURP is the most common form of traditional BPH
surgery, but is now being used more rarely because less
invasive options such as MITs and laser surgery are available and effective.
With TURP, patients receive spinal or general anesthesia and undergo this surgery
in a hospital operating room. A rectoscope, which is about 12 inches long and 1/2
inch in diameter, is inserted into the penis. A specialized cutting instrument is
inserted into the scope to remove the obstructing
prostate tissue piece by piece. Blood vessels receive an electric current
to stop the bleeding during the procedure. At the end of the procedure, a catheter
(a tube to remove urine from the bladder) is inserted to help drain urine after
the surgery. A bladder irrigation solution may be attached to the catheter to continuously
flush the catheter and prevent it from becoming clogged with blood or tissue. The
bleeding gradually decreases and the catheter is removed within a few days. The
hospital stay is 1 to 3 days and patients usually go home with the catheter in place.
Complications from TURP may occur and include blood loss and transfusion,
incontinence, and infection. Sexual side effects include the inability to
get an erection and retrograde (or internal) ejaculation.
Typical recovery time from TURP is 4 to 6 weeks. However, TURP provides effective
symptom relief for up to 10 years.
TURP accounts for 90% of all traditional surgeries. Other forms of traditional surgery
that account for the other 10% include transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)
and open prostatectomy.
Disclaimer: This material is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a consultation. You should talk with a urologist regarding your specific symptoms or medical condition.
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