Prostate Transurethral Resection is a surgical process to treat urinary problems among men which are caused due to an enlarged prostate. Found in a man’s pelvis, the prostate is a tiny gland that surrounds the urethra (the urine carrying tube) and is located between the bladder and the penis. Once the prostate gets enlarged, it can cause several symptoms and troubles, for instance, difficulty in passing urine. Furthermore, the condition can also put a lot of pressure on the urethra and bladder.
Alternate Name
Transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP.
Body Location
An enlarged prostate is found in a man’s pelvis.
How is it Performed
The Prostate Transurethral Resection procedure takes around an hour and a half to perform. The time depends on how much of the prostate needs to be trimmed. Before the surgical procedure, you will either receive general anesthesia (which makes you unconscious during the surgery) or spinal anesthesia (which allows you to remain conscious). To prevent infections, you may get a dose of antibiotics before the surgery.
The procedure is then conducted using a resectoscope, which is a thin metal tube-like device that contains a loop of wire, a light, and a camera. The resectoscope is inserted into the urethra, and the light and camera guide the surgeon to the site of the prostate. The wire is heated with an electric current which enables the resectoscope to gradually trim tissue from the prostate gland, one small portion at a time. Once the required amount of trimming is complete, a thin flexible tube called a catheter is used to pump and flush away the removed prostate pieces.
After the procedure, you will be shifted to a ward and required to stay in the hospital for the next 2 to 3 days, for better recovery. The catheter will not be removed for a couple of days until you are able to pass urine normally.
Preparation
- A few days before TURP surgery, your doctor might recommend that you stop consuming medicines that increase the risk of bleeding, including blood thinners (such as Warfarin or Clopidogrel) and pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or aspirin).
- An antibiotic may be prescribed to prevent symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI).
- A few tests may be recommended to determine your general health, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests. An ECG is performed to check the electrical activities of the heart.
- If you have a smoking habit, you might be asked to cut back on smoking or give up entirely before surgery, as it will help you avoid complications like blood clots or chest infections.
Procedure Type
Surgical
Follow Up
- Increase your water intake so that you can flush out unwanted parts.
- Do not immediately resume taking any blood-thinning medications.
- Consume high-fiber foods to avoid constipation and to make sure you do not need to strain during bowel movements. You might also be prescribed a stool softener.
- Limit your strenuous activity. Do not lift heavy things until the doctor gives you the go-ahead.
- Do not indulge in any sexual activities for around a month.
- Do not drive until your catheter is removed.
Risks
- Difficulty urinating For a temporary duration, you might feel trouble passing urine after the surgery. Until you are able to urinate on your own, you will need to continue using the catheter to carry urine out of the bladder.
- Recurring UTIsWhile UTIs are a common complication after a prostate procedure, you can have recurring episodes of UTI, due to the catheter.
- Dry orgasm or retrograde ejaculationDuring an ejaculation, prostate surgeries can lead to the release of semen into the bladder, and not out of the penis. Medically termed retrograde ejaculation, the dry orgasm does not affect sexual pleasure but it can interfere with your ability to reproduce.
- Heavy blood loss Men with larger prostates are at higher risk of heavy blood loss after Prostate Transurethral Resection.
- Loss of bladder control Difficulty in holding urine is a rare but long-term complication of this surgical process.
- Re-treatment In many cases, men need to opt for follow-up treatment after surgery, since either the symptoms return over time, or they do not improve.
Recovery
The recovery period can take up to 4 weeks. You will initially be weak, but once you feel better, you can start with gentle exercises such as walking to maintain good blood circulation. Your doctor may advise you to practice some pelvic floor exercises, to improve your bladder control. To return to your daily activities like work, driving, or sexual intercourse, it is better to contact your doctor 3-4 weeks after the procedure.
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