Do I Need Surgery for an Enlarged Prostate?

Renal Sciences | by CMRI | Published on 22/07/2022

Overview

Most men with an enlarged prostate can benefit from medication, but for some, it may not be enough to alleviate symptoms such as poor urine flow, dribbling, or incomplete voiding of the bladder. In such a scenario, your doctor may suggest you go for surgery. Here we’ve discussed some commonly performed surgical procedures to treat an enlarged prostate. Our expert from the best urology hospital in Kolkata has described the same.

Consider asking these questions before surgery:

As you consider your surgical choices, ask your doctor the following questions:

• Is there any chance that my condition will improve following surgery?
• What are the possibilities of a treatment causing side effects?
• How will this surgery help in relieving my symptoms?
• Will I have to have this treatment again?

Doctors can now do some minimally invasive operations using tiny cuts (incisions) and tools that they insert into the urethra using advanced technologies. Although these procedures do not treat symptoms as effectively as the open surgical methods, they do have shorter recovery times, less pain afterward, and fewer complications as well.

However, you may need to undergo open or more invasive surgical procedures if required. It all depends on the severity of your condition and what you and your doctor determine is best for you.

To treat moderate to severe symptoms, doctors can use these minimally invasive techniques, endoscopic procedures, or open surgeries. These procedures can also be performed if medical tests reveal that your ability to urinate is significantly impaired.

The following are some of the most commonly performed minimally invasive surgeries.

• Transurethral microwave therapy(TUMT): This noninvasive treatment employs a microwave antenna attached to a flexible tube inserted into your bladder by your doctor. The microwave heat kills off the excess prostate tissue.

 

• The UroLift system: The UroLift is a permanent implant that lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so that it no longer clogs the urethra. Local or general anesthesia is often used at a physician's office, ambulatory surgical center, or operating room. Patients are usually able to return home the same day without the use of a catheter.

 

• Transurethral resection of the prostate(TURP): This is the most common procedure used to treat BPH. Your doctor will remove sections of your prostate that are interfering with your urine flow. Since scope is inserted into the urethra to remove the extra tissue, there is no cutting and no outward scarring.

 

• Transurethral incision of the prostate(TUIP): This procedure does not entail the removal of prostate tissue. A few small cuts are made in the prostate to relieve pressure on the urethra and facilitate urination. Some men, such as those with smaller prostates, may be candidates for this surgery. When compared to TURP, TUIP has a substantially lower risk of retrograde ejaculation.
  
  However, it frequently provides the same symptom relief as TURP. One disadvantage is that some men may require a repeat TUIP. Doctors will choose which one to perform based on the size of your prostate.

 

• Laser treatment: Laser radiation is used by a specialist to remove the prostate tissue and reduce the gland. For larger prostates, this may not be as effective. Laser therapies typically provide symptom relief and an improved quality of life.

• Prostate enucleation: Enucleation of the prostate is one treatment option for BPH (benign prostate hypertrophy). Using orange as an analogy, the purpose of this method is to remove the fruit (the adenoma) while leaving the peel (the capsule) behind. This method creates a wide-open pathway for urine to exit the bladder.

Also Read:- Best Urologist in Kolkata

What are the conditions that you need to consider after surgery?

Before having one of these procedures, discuss with your doctor whether you'll be given medication to numb the area ("local anesthetic") or something to keep you awake ("general anesthesia") during the surgery.

Your doctor will advise you on how to prepare for any of them.

Many BPH symptoms can be relieved by surgery, but not all. There may be some difficulties, such as a weak bladder. Urine issues may persist following surgery, though this is uncommon.

Generalized self-care after prostate surgery:

If your scrotum swells after surgery, you can use a rolled towel to reduce the swelling. While lying down or sitting, place the towel roll beneath your scrotum and loop the ends over your legs to provide support. If the swelling does not subside after a week, consult your doctor.

As suggested by the best urologist surgeon in Kolkata, patients should avoid vigorous physical activity for two weeks as strenuous activity may cause bleeding. You should drink lots of fluids following surgery. In two weeks, the majority of people can resume their regular activities.

If you are having difficulty urinating and are looking for treatment options, consult our best urologist doctor in Kolkata and schedule an appointment. They will help to find the best possible treatment option for you.