Surgery is one of the more typical enlarged prostate treatment options when a patient is earning IPSS scores of “severe” (20 or higher). Surgery is also performed more frequently when the enlarged prostate condition is related to at least one of the following other conditions:
- Kidney problems
- Bladder stones
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Blood in urine
The specific type of surgical procedure chosen is generally based on the severity of the patient’s symptoms and the condition of his prostate gland. These invasive surgical procedures include:
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The most common and effective surgical treatment, it is performed by removing bits of the prostate through a scope inserted in the penis.
• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP). Similar to TURP, this procedure is performed on men with smaller prostate glands and is usually an out-patient procedure. Rather than removing prostate tissue, though, a small incision is made to enlarge the opening of the urethra and the bladder outlet.
• Simple prostatectomy. Under either spinal or general anesthesia, an incision is made through the perineum or abdomen and the inner part of the prostate is removed. This more complicated procedure generally requires a hospital stay of about a week.
These procedures carry the highest risks for significant complications including incontinence and sexual impotence. The growing experience of physicians with TURP over the years, however, has reduced complications and costly hospital stays.
Urinary or ureteral stents are also being looked at as a form of enlarged prostate treatment. A stent is a small tube inserted into an artery, blood vessel, or other duct (such as a urinary duct) in order to hold it open.
There are less-invasive procedures available, all utilizing various forms of heat energy to destroy enlarged prostate tissue. Possibly better choices for elderly patients, younger men, and patients with any severe conditions, these methods include:
- Hot water – water-induced thermotherapy (WIT).
- Electrical current – transurethral electrovaporization (TUVP)
- Microwave energy – transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)
- Radiofrequency energy – transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)
- Laser – interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)
Although surgical benefits include reduced urine retention and increased urine flow, these gains are frequently not permanent, and may have to be repeated every 5 – 10 years.
As you can see, many effective enlarged prostate treatment options have emerged as viable choices for men suffering from BPH. Depending upon his overall medical condition, the severity of his BPH symptoms, and his treatment goals, a man is very likely today to find an appropriate solution for his enlarged prostate condition.
See also: Non-Surgical Options
“Natural supplements and prescription medications for BPH treatment“
