Whether you’re looking for information about benign prostate enlargement or looking for a way to eliminate it, there are many options that can be used. For example, the Holmium laser ablation technique, the GreenLight procedure, or the transurethral resection (TURP) are just a few of the procedures that can be used to treat this condition.
Transurethral resection
TURP, or transurethral resection of the prostate, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for benign prostatic enlargement. The procedure involves the removal of portions of the prostate that are obstructing the flow of urine.
The procedure is performed in an operating room and usually requires general anesthesia. The patient can go home the day after the surgery. Some men may stay in the hospital for a night.
The procedure uses an instrument called a resectoscope. This instrument has a small camera and an electrical wire loop attached to it. The camera is used to guide the surgeon to remove the tissue from the prostate. The wire loop is activated to chip away at the overgrown prostate tissue blocking the urethra.
After the tissue is cut, the pieces are flushed through the urethra. Some men may experience blood in their urine after surgery. Some may need antibiotics for several days. The patient may be given pain medicine as needed.
A catheter may be attached to the bladder during the procedure. The catheter allows the urine to drain while the prostate gland heals. This catheter can be removed after the operation is completed.
During the procedure, the urethra should be dilated with urethral sounds. The doctor may use a visual obturator to prevent false passages.
The resection should be done with long, smooth strokes to minimize bleeding and chipping. When cutting the roof of the prostate, caution should be taken to avoid tissue that is more distal than the veru. If the surgeon makes a mistake and resects too much, the patient may have retrograde ejaculation.
After the procedure is finished, the resection is covered with a scab. A solution may be attached to the catheter to flush out the blood.
The catheter is removed within a few days. A stool softener may be prescribed to prevent constipation. The patient may eat solid foods when they are awake. If constipation persists, the patient may be given antibiotics.
TURP is the most commonly used procedure to treat BPH. It is a less invasive procedure than other surgical procedures but can cause side effects. If you are unsure about whether a TURP is right for you, talk with your doctor.
GreenLight procedure
Unlike a traditional TURP, GreenLight(TM) laser vaporization of the prostate offers quicker recovery, fewer complications, and lower hospital stay. Patients have been experiencing dramatic improvements in the ability to urinate. They also have a reduced risk of bleeding from the prostate.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and uses laser energy to vaporize the enlarged prostate tissue. The laser energy has an affinity for hemoglobin pigment, a component of red blood cells. When the hemoglobin pigment is vaporized, the blood vessels of the prostate are sealed and urine is able to flow freely.
Patients can expect to go home on the same day of the procedure. However, some patients will need to stay overnight. Those who require an overnight stay will stay in a post-anesthesia recovery room. They will be given specific instructions to follow at home.
Patients may experience mild discomfort for a week following the procedure. They will also need to avoid heavy lifting and vibrating equipment for at least two weeks.
GreenLight laser prostate surgery is performed by experienced surgeons. The procedure is less invasive and offers faster recovery, fewer complications, and a quicker return to normal activity.
Those who have the procedure can expect to return to normal activities within two to four weeks. However, if the procedure is performed on a large prostate, a catheter may be required for several days after the surgery.
Although GreenLight(TM) laser vaporization of the prostate is an effective treatment for enlarged prostate, it is important to note that there are risks. For example, patients may experience mild hematuria (blood in the urine), retrograde ejaculation, and short-term urinary incontinence. This condition is temporary and should not impact the patient’s sexual pleasure.
GreenLight laser prostate surgery has proven to be the safest and most effective procedure for benign prostate enlargement. However, some patients may not be candidates for medical therapy. Patients should talk to their doctor about this before making a decision.
Patients who have undergone a GreenLight procedure are able to return to normal activity in a few days. If their symptoms persist, they may need to see their doctor again.
Holmium laser ablation vs HoLAP vs Thulium laser enucleation
Several approaches to treating benign prostate enlargement (BPE) are available. One method uses laser therapy to shrink the prostate. Another method uses radio frequency (RF) energy to cause thermal ablation in the prostate. Both methods are promising technologies. However, long-term clinical data is limited.
To evaluate the effectiveness of these surgical procedures, Kang and colleagues conducted a systematic review of the clinical data available. The review focused on the following outcomes: peri-operative data, post-operative data, and long-term data. The data included post-operative IIEF-5 score, urine volume, Qmax, and post-operative catheterization. Surgical procedures were compared based on peri-operative variables, functional outcomes, and complications.
The results showed that TURP had the largest difference in post-operative IIEF-5 score, whereas all surgical procedures did not have a negative effect. However, postoperative PVR urine volume was not statistically different between TURP and placebo.
The Rezum system uses sterile water to produce vapor and uses RF energy to heat the vaporized water to a certain temperature. The system has been shown to be safe in phase I and II studies. Moreover, the Rezum system is believed to be safer for patients because it delivers sterile water vapor transurethrally.
Using vapor, ablation was very rapid. At 1 week, all patients had lesion defects on MRI. At two weeks, the irritative symptoms had subsided. The reoperation rate within 12 months was 6.8 %. Similarly, the post-operative reoperation rate was not significantly different between the two surgical techniques. However, a few patients had transient hematuria after the procedure. In addition, one patient had to undergo catheterization due to late bleeding.
Although these surgical techniques are promising, further clinical trials are required to determine their long-term effectiveness. A large, long-term study is needed to determine whether these techniques provide a lower reoperation rate than TURP. However, early intervention with thermal therapy is a promising approach for men with moderate-severe LUTS.
Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) has the potential to be an effective alternative to TURP for men with BPE. Compared with standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), HoLEP reduces perioperative morbidity.
TURP
TURP, or Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, is a surgical procedure that is used to treat benign prostate enlargement. The procedure relieves the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as difficulty urinating or frequent urination. However, it has a few side effects.
After a TURP procedure, some men may experience urinary incontinence. This is caused by the excess tissue that is removed during the procedure. Symptoms usually disappear after a few weeks. In some cases, urinary incontinence may continue for months. In these cases, a urologist may recommend a prostatic device to help reduce the pressure on the bladder.
Before a TURP procedure, patients should not eat or drink for eight hours. They should also avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks. They should also avoid sex for about four to six weeks.
The procedure involves general anesthesia. Some patients may also require spinal anesthesia. Before the procedure, patients will be asked to sign a consent form. They will also have blood tests and heart rate monitoring. The urethra will be inspected and any part of the prostate that is causing the symptoms will be removed.
TURP is the most common type of prostate surgery, but there are other procedures available. Depending on the patient’s condition, a urologist will determine which procedure will work best.
A TURP procedure may require an overnight stay at the hospital. Patients may feel tired and uncomfortable for a week or two after the surgery. They should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for several weeks. They should also avoid driving until their catheter has been removed.
TURP is a relatively safe procedure. However, it has a small risk of complications. Some men may experience recurring urinary tract infections after the surgery. If you experience a problem, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Men who have a large prostate gland are at a higher risk of bleeding and need blood transfusions. Patients should drink plenty of fluids after a TURP. They should avoid smoking.
Some men experience retrograde ejaculation after a TURP procedure. This is when sperm goes into the bladder instead of the penis. This may interfere with sexual pleasure and fathering ability.
Health Sources:
Health A to Z. (n.d.). HSE.ie. https://www2.hse.ie/az/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Directory Health Topics. (n.d.). https://www.healthline.com/directory/topics
Health A-Z. (2022, April 26). Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/health-a-z-4014770
Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
Health Conditions A-Z Sitemap. (n.d.). EverydayHealth.com. https://www.everydayhealth.com/conditions/
