Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Book Appointment
Treatment
Ask a Question
Plan my Surgery
Health Feed
tab_logos
About
tab_logos
Health Feed
tab_logos
Find Doctors

Transurethral Resection Of Prostate: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects

Last Updated: Jul 25, 2023

What is Transurethral Resection Of Prostate?

Topic Image

Transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP, is a kind of surgery performed in order to treat an enlarged prostate.

Types of Transurethral Resection Of Prostate:

  • Simple Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP): It is a surgical technique that is used to address the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is another name for an enlarged prostate.
  • Visual Internal Urethrotomy (VIU): This procedure is used to treat narrowing or obstruction of the urethra caused by scarring or infection.
  • Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP): This technique is less invasive than TURP, and it entails creating small incisions in the prostate in order to remove the obstruction and lessen the pressure on the urethra.
  • Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate (HoLEP): This procedure uses laser energy to remove excess prostate tissue and relieve blockage in the urethra.
  • Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA): This procedure uses radiofrequency energy to shrink the enlarged prostate tissue and reduce pressure on the urethra without making any incisions in the prostate tissue itself.

Benefits of Transurethral Resection Of Prostate:

  • Beneficial in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a disorder that often affects older men.
  • Fast recovery, with the majority of patients being able to go home the same day of the treatment.
  • Minimally invasive, so it can reduce the risk of complications associated with open surgery, such as bleeding and infection.
  • Requires just local anaesthesia; hence, neither general anaesthesia nor a hospital stay are required.
  • Can improve urinary flow and relieve symptoms such as urgency, frequency, and difficulty starting or maintaining a stream.
  • Can help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections and incontinence caused by BPH.

Why is Transurethral Resection Of Prostate done?

  • Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is used to address symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  • The treatment is used to treat urinary blockage caused by prostate gland enlargement.
  • TURP entails removing a portion of the prostate tissue that is obstructing the urethra and enabling urine to pass more freely through it.
  • The procedure can help reduce symptoms such as frequent urination and help improve bladder emptying. It can also reduce the risk of developing urinary tract infections or bladder stones due to obstruction from an enlarged prostate gland.

pms_banner

What are the risks of Transurethral Resection Of Prostate?

  • Bleeding
  • Urinary retention
  • Infection
  • Injury to the bladder or urethra.
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Urinary incontinence or leakage of urine from the penis.
  • Narrowing of the urethra (stricture)
  • Retrograde ejaculation into the bladder.
  • Scarring or narrowing of the bladder neck.

How do I prepare for Transurethral Resection Of Prostate?

  • Talk to your doctor: Before undergoing transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), make sure you discuss the procedure and potential outcomes with your doctor. This may prepare you for the procedure and its hazards.
  • Stop certain medications: In preparation for TURP, take your doctor’s advice and stop taking certain medications that may interact negatively with the procedure. These vary depending on the prescribed medication, so it’s important to first consult a qualified healthcare professional beforehand.
  • Cleanse yourself: One day before your scheduled procedure, make sure to cleanse yourself thoroughly as per the instructions of your doctor or nurse practitioner.
  • Do not eat/ drink: Usually, it is advised that you do not consume anything at least 8 hours before the TURP procedure as part of general fasting guidelines in order to keep things safe during the medical process.
  • Prepare for hospital stay: It’s likely that you will have to stay in a hospital overnight after TURP. Therefore, make sure that all necessary arrangements – such as childcare and leave from work – are taken prior to scheduling surgery date.

How Transurethral Resection Of Prostate is done?

  • A resectoscope, a specialised tool, is inserted into the urethra by the urologist during the process.
  • This allows them to see inside the bladder and remove excess tissue that’s blocking urine flow.
  • The surgeon will then use an electrical current to cut away the extra tissue and remove it through the resectoscope.
  • After the procedure is complete, a urinary catheter may be placed to help with urine flow for a few days until swelling decreases and bladder function returns to normal.

Steps to perform Before the procedure

First, the patient should discuss with the doctor any medical condition they have or medication they are taking.

Then, the patient should stop taking certain medications like blood thinners a week before the procedure.

Steps To perform During The Procedure

  • Once the patient arrives at the hospital or clinic, he/she will lie on their back on an operating table.
  • With the help of a cystoscope which allows doctors to locate the inside of the prostate gland;a urethra leading to the bladder is identified for resection.
  • A fluid containing antiseptic agents is put inside the bladder in order to make it swollen and provide easier access for surgeons.
  • After that, an instrument known as a resectoscope is inserted through the urethra into the bladder in order to remove any blockage such as cancerous cells in Prostate Gland.

Steps To perform After The Procedure

  • The patient will be advised complete bed rest and urinary catheter might be there for 2 days after surgery.
  • He/she may experience increased urinary frequency; burning sensation while urinating and pain in the lower abdominal area for a short duration of time after surgery.
  • Doctors may also recommend drinking plenty of water, having a nutritious diet with adequate amount of fibre content and avoiding sexual activities at least for some days after operation.

How much does Transurethral Resection Of Prostate cost in India?

Depending on the provider and other considerations, the price of a TURP in India may be anywhere from Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000.

What to eat after Transurethral Resection Of Prostate?

  • Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and soybeans, may also be beneficial.
  • Include fruits and vegetables in your regular diet to acquire the vitamins and minerals you need.
  • Drinking plenty of fluids is important to help flush out toxins from the body.
  • If experiencing constipation, increase consumption of foods high in fibre such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.

Is Transurethral Resection Of Prostate safe?

Yes. When carried out by qualified medical professionals, a TURP is considered to be a safe treatment.

Is Transurethral Resection Of Prostate painful?

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) does cause pain for some patients.

Nevertheless, general anaesthesia is often used for this technique, so patients do not feel any pain throughout the process.

In most cases, patients report no pain or rather minor pain after the treatment that may be treated with pain medications.

How long does it take to recover from Transurethral Resection Of Prostate?

The recovery period after a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) typically takes two to three weeks.

During this time, the patient may experience varying degrees of swelling and discomfort in the area where the procedure was performed, as well as a feeling of needing to urinate more frequently or with more urgency.

It is essential to pay attention to all of your physician's recommendations for the appropriate degree of care and activities while you are in the initial stages of your recovery.

What are the side effects of Transurethral Resection Of Prostate?

The following are some of the most frequent adverse reactions that might occur as a result of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP):

  • Temporary incontinence
  • Impotence
  • Retrograde ejaculation
  • Infection.
  • Other less common side effects include:
  • Bleeding and blood clots in the urine or bladder
  • Urinary tract obstruction
  • Urinary urgency and frequency
  • Cystitis or urethritis
  • Post-operative haematuria (blood in the urine).
  • Some people may experience temporary lightheadedness or dizziness due to the anaesthetic used during surgery.
  • In rare cases there may be a serious complication known as TURP syndrome which can cause nausea, vomiting, dehydration and low blood pressure.

Transurethral Resection Of Prostate Aftercare:

  • Rest and avoid strenuous activities for at least 24-48 hours following the procedure, or as instructed by your doctor.
  • Have at least eight glasses of water every day while eliminating alcoholic drinks.
  • You may feel pain in your lower belly, bladder, or pelvis after the procedure; this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Avoid taking aspirin during this time as it can increase bleeding risk.
  • Take showers instead of baths for at least 2 weeks after the procedure and gently pat yourself dry off after each shower instead of scrubbing with a towel to avoid irritating any sutured areas from internal bleeding during surgery.
  • Pass urine every two to three hours when awake during daytime after TURP and should have regular flow of urine in 4-6 hours postoperatively 4 Finally, contact your healthcare provider if you experience any signs of infection such as increased fever and chills, pain that does not decrease with painkillers, redness near incision site(s) or continued bleeding from the penis even after a few days postoperatively.

Conclusion:

The transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a minimally invasive procedure that has been used to relieve symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate.

  • The surgery involves making small incisions into the urethra and removing sections of the prostate to reduce its size, allowing urine to flow freely.
  • During recovery, patients typically experience minimal pain and increase in urination frequency, as well as improved urine flow.
  • TURP is associated with few risks and complications, but long-term side effects such as sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence can occur.
  • Overall, TURP is a safe and effective procedure for treating symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate and may provide relief from both severe inconvenience as well as frequent trips to the bathroom.

Table of content

Content Details
Profile Image
Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
Reviewed By
Profile Image
Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
Need more help 

15+ Years of Surgical Experience

All Insurances Accepted

EMI Facility Available at 0% Rate

Find Urologist near me

pms_banner
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously