Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
TURP accounts for about 90% of BPH procedures. In fact, it is one of the most common of all surgeries performed, especially in older men.
In this procedure, a long, very narrow instrument with a fiber optic light on the end (resectoscope) is inserted into the penis and up the urethra to the prostate. Another instrument is inserted into the resectoscope, guided to the obstructing tissue, and then used to cut away obstructing tissue and to cauterize blood vessels using a low-voltage, high frequency electrical current. Either spinal or general anesthesia is used in this procedure, which takes about one hour. Occasionally, patients with a small prostate and no medical problems may be treated on an outpatient basis with local anesthesia.
After the operation, a catheter is usually inserted to help drain tissue and blood from the bladder, where they have been flushed during the procedure. There is little pain involved in the procedure.
