TURP

TREATMENT

A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is an alternative technique to HoLEP used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Whereas HoLEP utilises laser energy to remove the obstructing prostate tissue TURP uses an electrical current passed through a loop of wire, which enables the surgeon to cut through prostate tissue. It too is an endoscopic or ‘keyhole’ procedure carried out via a telescope passed through the water pipe (urethra). It is done under either a general anaesthetic or a spinal – the decision about which of these is used depends on your personal preference and other medical issues and will ultimately be decided by you together with the anaesthetist. The tissue removed during the operation is removed at the end and will be analysed by our pathologists to make sure there is no cancer.

A catheter is inserted after the operation, which will typically remain in for around 48 hours and is usually removed prior to you going home.