Table of Contents
- Younger men. (Many of the less invasive procedures carry a lower risk for erectile dysfunction and incontinence than TURP.)
- Debilitated elderly patients
- Patients with severe medical conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes, cirrhosis, active alcoholism, psychosis, and serious lung, kidney, or heart disease
- Men who take anticoagulant ("blood-thinning") drugs
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves surgical removal of the inner portion of the prostate, where BPH develops. It is the most common surgical procedure for BPH, although the number of procedures has dropped significantly over the past decades because of the increased use of effective medications.
|
Click the icon to see an illustrated series detailing transurethral resection of the prostate surgery. |
Procedure. The surgeon inserts a fiberoptic endoscope, which is a thin tube, into the urethra. No incision is needed. The surgeon uses the endoscope to cut away excess prostatic tissue, and water solutions are used to flush away the excised matter. TURP usually requires a 1 - 3 day hospital stay.
Risk of Water Intoxication. If the fluids used during TURP build up, water intoxication can develop, which can be serious. This condition is referred to as transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome and includes abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and dizziness. It occurs in about 2% of patients and is a temporary condition occurring immediately after surgery, which can be treated with diuretics to remove excess fluid.
Postoperative Catheterization. A Foley catheter generally remains in place for 3 - 5 days after surgery to allow urination. This device is a tube inserted through the opening of the penis to drain the urine into a bag. The catheter can cause bladder spasms that can be painful, but they eventually cease.
Recuperation. Urine flow is stronger almost immediately after most TURP procedures. After the catheter is removed, patients often feel some pain or sense of urgency as the urine passes over the surgical wound. These sensations gradually subside. Complete healing takes about 2 months. The following are some tips for hastening recovery and avoiding complications:
Review Date: 07/20/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
