Types of Prostate Surgery
Depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your prostate problem, your doctor will select the most appropriate treatment option. Treatments range from noninvasive procedures performed on an outpatient basis, without hospitalization, to standard surgeries necessitating a hospital stay. Doctors recommend surgery primarily to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostate cancer. BPH procedures rank among the most common medical procedures for men in the U.S. Doctors typically employ medical procedures or surgery when symptoms are acute or the patient hasn't responded favorably to drug therapy.
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Noninvasive Procedures
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The following procedures can be conducted on an outpatient basis and don't require general anesthesia:
PVP (photoselective vaporization of the prostate) uses a controlled laser beam to get rid of excess tissue inside the prostate.
TUIP (transurethral incision of the prostate) broadens the urethra through a few small, strategically placed incisions in the prostate.
TUNA (transurethral needle ablation) incinerates excess prostate tissue using radio waves.
TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy) conducts microwaves through a catheter to destroy excess prostate tissue.
TUVP (transurethral electroevaporization of the prostate) uses electrical current to vaporize prostate tissue.
Invasive Surgeries
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The following surgeries typically require general anesthesia and a hospital stay:
TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) accounts for 90 percent of all BPH surgeries. The surgeon inserts a slim instrument equipped with a wire loop at the end, and uses this loop to snip away excess prostate tissue.
Open prostatectomy is typically employed in extreme cases when a prostate has become grossly enlarged, has damaged the bladder, or when the patient hasn't responded to other procedures. In an open prostatectomy, the surgeon removes the prostate through a small incision made in the lower abdomen. -
Benefits
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Prior to your prostate procedure or surgery, you might experience difficulty urinating, or a feeling of a full bladder even after urinating. In extreme cases, you may experience urine back-flow, kidney infections and even kidney failure as a result of your enlarged prostate. Both noninvasive and invasive procedures seek to alleviate the problems posed by an enlarged prostate, including urethral obstruction, by eliminating excess tissue or completely removing the prostate.
Complications
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Some complications can follow prostate procedures or surgery. After TURP surgery, you may experience semen back-flow; i.e., during ejaculation the semen flows back into the bladder instead of out through the urethra. You might also experience erection and bladder-control problems. These issues are usually temporary. However, if you're concerned about the length of time it's taking for these issues to resolve, consult your doctor. If your prostate has been removed because of prostate cancer or because of size, complications such as bladder control and sexual performance will likely persist on a more permanent basis.
Recovery
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Allowing your body to heal is critical, whether you undergo a less invasive procedure like transurethral needle ablation or the more drastic open prostatectomy. Drink eight glasses of water a day to help flush out the bladder and dead tissue left from the procedure, if applicable. Avoid heavy lifting, sudden jerking movements and operating heavy equipment.
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