TURP for enlarged prostate
TURP is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves cutting away excess tissue to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate and treat urinary problems. Our world-class urologists carry out this effective treatment in a state-of-the-art operating theatre.
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What is it for?
Treating an enlarged prostate
Treatment overview
The prostate is a small gland, located in the pelvis in men, between the penis and the bladder. It often grows larger the older a man gets.
As the prostate gets bigger, it can place pressure on the bladder and the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body (the urethra).
TURP stands for transurethral resection of the prostate. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves using a surgical telescope (resectoscope) to shave away excess prostate tissue.
By removing the tissue, problems are typically resolved quickly and most men experience a significantly stronger urine flow within a few days.
At London Urologica, you will be thoroughly assessed by a world-class urologist to check your suitability for this type of treatment. TURP surgery will then be performed by one of our leading urology consultants.
FAQ'S
The TURP surgical treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). In TURP surgery, a surgical telescope is used to shave away tissue from the prostate.
This is to stop the prostate from pressing on the bladder and urethra. The urethra is the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body.
A TURP procedure can help resolve the following problems:
• Reduced urine stream
• Frequently needing to urinate
• Leakage of urine
• Trouble starting to urinate
• Difficulty fully emptying the bladder
• Urgently needing to urinate
• A urinary tract infection
Your world-class consultant at London Urologica will perform TURP under general anaesthetic or using a spinal block so you are awake during the procedure but numb below the waist.
They will insert a surgical telescope called a resectoscope into your urethra at the end of your penis.
This is passed along your urethra until it reaches your prostate. This means no cuts are made into your skin, so you will not have a scar following the procedure.
A fine loop of wire at the end of the resectoscope is heated using an electric current and used to cut away the part of the prostate that is pressing on the bladder and urethra.
Your consultant will then insert a thin tube called a catheter into your urethra to pump fluid into the bladder. This helps to flush away prostate tissue that has been cut away.
The TURP procedure typically takes less than an hour.
Our world-class urological consultants, anaesthetists and nursing staff work together to minimise risks and support safe recovery.
Specific issues that may occur following TURP surgery include:
• Problems getting and maintaining an erection
• Difficulty passing urine
• Inability to control your bladder (urinary incontinence) – although this may pass in a few weeks
• Retrograde ejaculation (when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm)
• Reduction in fertility
• Narrowing of the urethra
• Recurrence of urinal problems
After your procedure, you will need to stay in hospital for around one to three days.
You will also need to wear a catheter for one to two days. When you can urinate independently, you can usually go home. It is also advised that you avoid sex, driving, heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for three to four weeks. This is because these activities can disturb healing and cause bleeding.
Overall, you should be able to return to normal activities after around a month. However, it may take longer, and especially if your job involves manual labour.