BPH Surgical Treatment
Overview of BPH Surgical Treatment
BPH Surgical Treatment are typically minimally invasive procedures. Read more
about the processes here. Urology and Oncology Specialists PC, Mobile, Alabama
BPH Surgical Treatment
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is also called BPH or Prostate Gland
Enlargement. This is very common in older men. BPH is when the prostate gland becomes enlarged and can
cause various urinary symptoms. You may experience a block of flowing of urine,
bladder infections, urinary tract infections, or kidney problems. There are many different surgical
treatments that can be done. Your physician will be able to help you decide which procedure is going
to be best for you based on your health and what you would prefer.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for BPH
Men that have moderate to severe BPH symptoms are best suited for minimally
invasive surgeries. These men typically have trouble urinating, blood in the urine, bladder stones, or
urinary tract obstruction. Surgery is also a good option for men that have
gone through therapy and medications that have not worked. These surgeries are typically done as
outpatient procedures. There are many factors that may change this. You will want to speak to your
physician about what is best for you.
- Stent A prostatic stent is used inside the urethra to hold it open. The stent is
permanent, and is a flexible, self-expanding, and spring like device. There is no anesthesia
required for this procedure, so this works well for men that are at a high-risk for
surgery. This surgery helps improve the flow of urine and decreases symptoms of BPH. There are not
many side effects from surgery, but men may experience voiding symptoms.
- Laser Prostatectomy Laser prostatectomy can be done in a few different ways.
This procedure is most commonly done with a laser and varying wavelengths. There are very few side
effects from this procedure, and works well for those who do not want an invasive
surgery. Your hospital stay will likely be very short and will be done as an outpatient procedure.
There are no side effects from this procedure. It also shows a decreased risk of complications that
are associated with BPH.
- High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) A high intensity focused ultrasound is
used to reduce the risk of damage that is done to the surrounding tissues. This is done by placing
an ultrasound probe into the rectum. This probe transmits ultrasonic energy and
it heats the prostate to high temperatures. These high temperatures cause the tissue in the prostate
to reduce in size. This surgery does not work well in men that have large prostates. The recovery
time for this is very quick. Some side effects include trouble urinating, blood
in the urine, and the risk of needing a catheter.
- Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) The transurethral needle ablation is very
similar to high intensity focused ultrasound. The transurethral needle ablation also uses
high-frequency radio waves. A cystoscope is inserted into the tip of the penis through
the urethra. A tiny needle will be guided to the tissue and then will deliver the radio waves. This
procedure is perfect for men who are not able to or do not want to have anesthesia. It also works
well for men that have too many medical conditions to have surgery. There are no
real complications that are associated with this procedure. You may experience a burning feeling
after the procedure.
Standard Surgical Procedures
- Transurethral restriction of the prostate (TURP) The transurethral restriction
of the prostate, or TURP, is considered the gold standard of effective treatment for BPH. This
surgery is the most common treatment for men with BPH. There is no incision required
for this procedure. Your physician will put a resectoscope through the end of the penis and through
the urethra. Then the tissue of the prostate gland will be removed. The resectoscope has a lighted
camera, valves that maintain irrigating fluid, as well as an electrical loop.
The tissue will be cut and the blood vessels will be sealed. At the end of the procedure, the tissue
will be removed through the irrigating fluid into the bladder and then will be flushed from the
body. Outcomes are positive. Complications are rare, but you may experience
infection, pain, or bleeding.
- Transurethral incision of the prostate Transurethral incision of the prostate is
a good option in men that have a smaller prostate. During this procedure, small incisions are made
in the prostate and where the urethra meets the bladder. This process helps to
widen the urethra, which makes urination easier and removes the pressure of the prostate on the
urethra. All of this makes urinating much easier. Some of the side effects for this procedure are
incontinence, erectile dysfunction, urine retention, or a urinary tract infection.
- Open prostatectomy An open prostatectomy is done in men with BPH that have a
large prostate. In these men, transurethral surgery is not safe. During an open prostatectomy, the
physician will make an incision from the navel to the pubic bone. Then the bladder
is opened. The tissue of the prostate is then removed. After the surgery, a urethral catheter will
be in place for one week. Since this is a more invasive surgery, you may be in the hospital for a
longer stay. Complications with this may include infection and bleeding.
Which Procedure is Right for Me?
The first step to deciding which procedure is right for you, is speaking with
your physician. Your procedure will be based on your overall health and what you would prefer. The
size of the prostate will play a big role in what surgery you will have. For
example, large prostate glands are not able to have certain surgeries, and the same is true for small
prostate glands. Let your physician know what you are experiencing and what your wishes are. You can
both work on a decision for what is best for you.