How Effective is Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)?

Dr.Vikas Agarwal, 4 mins read

We do a lot of things daily to take care of our bodies. But as we grow, our body develops several problems, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). It is neither a cancer nor it raises prostate cancer risk. With this condition, you may have severe problems like:

• Frequent urination
• Blood in urine
• Urination more often at night
• Inability to urinate
• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak urine stream
• Dribbling at the end of urination

Treatment:
Initially, we advise some lifestyle modifications and medicines. But when these options don’t help, a procedure is recommended. Considering your prostate size, overall health and other factors, we’ll advise you on the best surgery.

In this blog, we’re going to discuss one of the common surgical treatments for enlarged prostate, i.e., transurethral resection of the prostate.

What is transurethral resection of the prostate?
TURP is an effective and usually safe procedure to treat urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. It involves cutting and removing the extra tissue of the prostate that affects the urine flow using an instrument resectoscope. Since no incisions are required, there will be no noticeable external scars, and recovery will be quick.

Procedure:
A resectoscope is inserted into the urethra through the tip of your penis. This instrument allows us to see and trim away the extra portion of the prostate.

There are two ways to cut the extra tissue. Either we cut through a laser or cautery. Both are good techniques. But if the prostate is very much enlarged or the patient is on blood thinners, the laser technique is usually preferred.

After removing the excess tissue, a urinary catheter will be attached. The catheter will be in place for 3 to 4 days until the swelling reduces. TURP takes around 60 to 90 minutes to complete and is generally done under regional anaesthesia.

Post-procedure and aftercare tips
After surgery, you’ll be kept in close monitoring. Once you awake, we will evaluate your condition. You’ll need to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. Keep a check on your body. Speak to us if you see any unusual thing, such as:

• Blood in urine
• Trouble urinating
• Clots in urine

Also, take care of a few things until you fully recover, such as:

• Maintain a healthy diet: You need to consume nutrition and fibre-rich fruits and vegetables. This will fuel your recovery and help you avoid constipation, which can put pressure on the procedure site. The dietitian will create a diet plan for you.
• Drink plenty of water: You will be recommended to drink an ample amount of liquids daily to flush out the bladder.
• Activities: You need to avoid strenuous exercises like weight lifting until you recover.
• Refrain from intercourse: You need to hold off sex for 4 to 6 weeks.
• Avoid driving: Don’t drive until your catheter is removed and you no longer need prescription pain medicines.

Risks:
Since our penis and urethra are not made for any instrument insertion, there are chances of injury and urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra).

Also, there is a risk of infection in the urethra and bleeding from where the extra prostate tissues are removed. In some cases, the patient may experience urinary leakage and a burning sensation post-procedure.

The complications can be reduced by choosing an experienced doctor who has carried out many such surgeries earlier. Talk to us; we will examine you and advise you on a way to relief.

Can it grow again post-surgery?
Prostate enlargement happens with ageing. So, there are chances that this gland can grow again over some time. However, if the surgery is done correctly and by an experienced doctor, the recurrence of prostate enlargement reduces for almost 10 years.

Does the whole prostate need to be removed?
No. There is no need to remove the whole prostate for enlarged prostate treatment. This is usually needed in case of severe cases of prostate cancer. In the case of benign prostatic hyperplasia, only extra tissues of the prostate are trimmed.

Takeaway!
Transurethral resection of the prostate is a very effective and safe procedure. It has shown promising results for the treatment of enlarged prostate. It involves no incisions, fewer complications and faster recovery. Most men experience a normal urine flow and return to their routine after a couple of days of the procedure. So, don’t be afraid of this procedure. If medicines and lifestyle modifications are not working and you are advised TURP, talk to our expert doctors.