Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

Indications:

The prostate is a gland which sits beneath the bladder in males. The waterpipe leading from the bladder to the end of the penis is known as the urethra, and is surrounded by the prostate. The urethra may become compressed by an enlarged prostate, resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) which commonly are:

• reduced urine flow
• difficulty initiating urine
• urinary dribbling
• incomplete bladder emptying
• frequent and urgent urination
• waking up at night to pass urine

Initially, the treatment may consist of lifestyle adjustments and medication.
Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a highly effective treatment for an enlarged prostate causing the above symptoms. TURP is usually performed for moderate or severe symptoms, particularly where there is failure to improve with medication.

Other indications are :

• complete cessation of urine requiring a catheter
• recurrent urinary infections
• blood in the urine (other causes must be excluded)
• bladder stones
• back pressure on the kidneys

 

Surgery:

The prostate is accessed using special equipment that is passed into the opening of the penis and along the urethra. A tough outer shell surrounds the inner prostate gland.

The inner gland is chipped away by heat generated from an electric current, and the pieces are removed, leaving only the outer shell. These pieces are sent to a laboratory for further analysis, mainly to determine whether they contain any abnormal or suspicious areas.

The procedure is carried out via the urethra and no incisions are made so no scars are left.

The duration of the operation depends on the size of the prostate gland, but for safety reasons, the procedure does not usually exceed one hour.
At the end of the operation, a special catheter is placed and attached to bags of fluid.

Post-Operative Recovery:

The bags of fluid are usually removed after a period of 24 - 48 hours. The catheter is usually removed on the second or third post-operative day.
It is common to experience urinary urgency following the procedure, which should improve over the next few days, but may take several months to return to normal.
It is usual to experience some blood in the urine for up to two weeks following this procedure. Drinking 2 - 3 litres of fluid per day will help reduce this.
You may return to work two weeks after the procedure. If your work involves heavy lifting, you should resume alittle later. Any activity involving straining should be avoided for a few weeks.
As the sperm control mechanism at the outlet of the bladder is removed during the operation, it is common to experience a reduced sperm volume, and cloudy urine after ejaculation.
Patient follow-up will vary according to your surgeon.