Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) Treatment

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is done for men with significantly obstructive benign prostate enlargement (BPH). It is done using a resectoscope (a loop instrument) that is passed through the urethra. The enlarged prostate gland is scraped away piece by piece, leaving a raw prostate cavity that heals over the next 3 weeks The operation takes up to 1 hour. General or spinal anaesthesia is usually given. Even after the anaesthesia wears off, the discomfort is very minimal. A catheter is inserted into the bladder after the surgery with continuous irrigation fluid to prevent blood clots from forming in the bladder. As this can potentially be a very bloody operation, any blood-thinning medication, such as Aspirin or Plavix must be stopped 1 week beforehand. Hospital stay is 3 to 4 days depending on the bleeding. For the laser method, the hospitalization period is shorter and most of the time, just an overnight stay.

Some of symptoms due to BPH are:

• Poor Stream
• Blockage to passage of Urine
• Pain/Burning sensation during passing urine
• Passing blood in urine
• Frequently passing urine especially at night