TURP Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, Benefits and Side Effects
Last Updated: Jul 01, 2023
What is TURP Surgery?
Transurethral resection of the prostate, commonly known by the acronym TURP, is basically a surgical procedure carried out to treat urinary issues stemming from an enlarged prostate. The operation is done by inserting a small tube, known as a resectoscope, through the urethra and cutting the enlargement of the prostate tissue away from the inside of the urethra through its wall. The resected tissue is then removed through the same tube.
In other words, the resectoscope, which is a medical instrument, is inserted through the penis and into the urethra in order to remove any blockages in the prostate that may be causing problems with urination. This device allows doctors to have a clear view of the prostate so that they can trim away any excess tissue quickly and efficiently.To put it in a nutshell, transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP surgery, can be defined as a urological operation which is mainly conducted to treat a medical condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition is basically an enlargement of a patient's prostate gland.
Types of TURP Surgery:
Monopolar TURP
It is a type of surgery that uses a monopolar device to excise tissue. The device has a wire loop that conducts electric current in one direction only, which prevents damage to surrounding tissue.The surgery is usually performed using glycine, which is a non-conducting fluid that helps to prevent damage to surrounding tissue. However, this fluid can cause damage to surrounding tissue in the case of prolonged exposure, so the surgery time is limited.
Bipolar TURP
Bipolar TURP can be defined as a newer technique that brings bipolar current into use in order to remove the tissue. This type of TURP is different as it allows for saline irrigation. This is why the requirement for an ESU grounding pad is also eliminated.
As a result, bipolar TURP is not subject to the same surgical time constraints as conventional TURP. This can be very helpful as it can reduce, or even eliminate, the risk of post-TURP hyponatremia (TUR syndrome) and other related complications.
Benefits of TURP Surgery
TURP is a surgery that helps to relieve urinary symptoms for those suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by fixing things such as:
- Urge to urinate urgently or frequently
- Urination that is slow (prolonged)
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- Urinary tract infections
- Increased urination frequency at night
- The feeling that you can't empty your bladder
- Stopping and restarting during urination
- TURP surgery can also prevent complications stemming from blocked urine flow, such as:
- Kidney or bladder damage
- Recurring or chronic urinary tract infections
- Inability to urinate
- Inability to control urination
- Bladder stones
- Blood in urine
Why Is TURP Surgery Done?
TURP surgery is often recommended for those patients in whom prostate enlargement causes bothersome symptoms that don't improve with any other treatment or medication. Symptoms that may be eased or eliminated by TURP include issues with starting to urinate, weak urine flow, or stopping and starting.
What Are the Risks of TURP Surgery?
- Excessive bleeding
- Temporary urination difficulty
- Temporary difficulty holding urine
- Erectile dysfunction (rare)
- Dry orgasm (a kind of anejaculation)
How Do I Prepare for TURP Surgery?
Fasting
At least six hours of fasting are required prior to the TURP procedure. This includes all kinds of food as well as fluids. If you are a diabetes patient, inform your doctor or healthcare provider in advance so that they can make special accommodations for you.
Bowels
No specific preparation is generally needed for the bowels if you have a regular morning bowel movement. However, if you have trouble with bowel motions or are constipated, you may require certain medications, which you can buy over the counter from any nearby pharmacy. Just keep in mind that you must let your doctor know about any bowel issues you may be facing.
Medications
Please bring all medications that you are currently taking to the hospital on the day of surgery in their labeled containers. This includes prescription drugs, inhalers, and sprays (if any).
Most of the time, you will be able to continue taking your prescribed medications during your surgery. However, there may be some exceptions where it may be required to stop the use of certain drugs or medications.
Just keep in mind that prior to the (surgical) procedure, your doctor must know your medical history along with the medications you currently take.
Admission to the Hospital
When you are admitted to the hospital, you will need to bring an overnight bag with you. It should have enough clothes for an approximately 2-night hospital stay.
You will also need to bring your x-ray films and medications with you. Also, make sure that you have completed all the paperwork that was provided to you by your healthcare provider.
How Is TURP Surgery Done?
TURP is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is essentially done by using a device called a resectoscope. This resectoscope is a thin metal tube that has a light, a camera, and a wire loop inside of it.The resectoscope is customarily passed along the patient's urethra until it reaches their prostate. This means that no incisions or cuts are required in the patient's skin.
Before the Procedure
You will be asked by your healthcare provider to get admitted to the hospital either the day of or the day before the surgical procedure. You may be asked to stop eating any food and drinking any fluids around six hours before the surgery is scheduled. Depending on how your pre-admission assessment goes, your healthcare provider may give you compression stockings in order to help prevent any blood clots.
During the Procedure
The TURP surgical procedure is performed with the help of a device known as a resectoscope. It is basically a thin metal tube that contains a camera, a light, and a loop of wire.
The resectoscope is carefully inserted into the patient's urethra with the aim of cutting away sections of the prostate. This may reduce pressure on the patient's urethra, allowing urine to flow with ease.
After the Procedure
It's normal to feel tired and under the weather for a while after undergoing TURP surgery. Most men are up and about after a few weeks of recovery.
For the first few weeks, it's best to avoid lifting or moving any heavy objects or doing any strenuous exercise. This will help ensure a successful and speedy recovery.
How Much Does TURP Surgery Cost?
The average cost of TURP surgery in India can range somewhere between Rs. 1,05,000 (one lakh five thousand) and Rs. 3,00,000 (three lakhs). However, this cost is merely for reference purposes and should not be considered a standard cost. The best thing you can do in this regard is to get in touch with our team of experts and get the precise cost of nasal surgery in India.
What to Do After TURP Surgery?
You will most likely be in the hospital for one to two days after the procedure. A urinary catheter will be used mainly owing to the swelling that may block urine flow. In most cases, the catheter is left in place for the next 24 to 48 hours, until the swelling reduces and the patient can urinate on their own.
You might notice some blood while urinating after the procedure. This blood in the urine is not a cause for concern as it is quite normal and usually goes away on its own. However, if the blood is thick like ketchup, you have a sense of urgency or frequent need to urinate, or your urine flow is blocked, contact your doctor right away.
The urine flow can be blocked by blood clots and can further cause other irritating urinary symptoms. Painful urination generally improves within six to eight weeks after the procedure. If you still experience any pain, discomfort, or irritation after this time, contact your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible.Apart from all that, your doctor may also recommend that you:
- Eat high-fiber foods
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid any strenuous activity
- Wait a while to continue taking any blood-thinning drugs
- Hold off on sex
- Avoid driving
What to Eat After TURP Surgery?
You can typically stick to your regular diet, but if you are experiencing an upset stomach, it is best to eat bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. If you are having trouble having regular bowel movements after the surgical procedure, try to avoid constipation and straining by drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated all the time.
Is TURP Surgery Safe?
The answer is yes. In general, TURP, or transurethral resection of the prostate, is a very safe procedure. The chances of developing serious complications are extremely low.
However, in order to avoid any risks or complications, it is important that you get your surgery done by a team of experienced and skilled surgeons or doctors, such as those available at Pristyn Care.
Is TURP Surgery Painful?
Although you should not be experiencing any severe pain, there may be some bladder spasms (contractions) and discomfort because of the catheter. The catheter is required to be left in place after the procedure. This is because the patient's urethra, or the tube that carries urine out of their body, will be sore and swollen.
Moreover, your healthcare provider may give you some suggestions about managing pain (if necessary) before you are finally discharged from the hospital.
In most cases, the discomfort or pain is very mild and can be conveniently managed with the help of some over-the-counter pain medications. If you experience severe pain or bladder spasms, please let your healthcare team know so they can help you manage it as well.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from TURP Surgery?
Most people take between three and four weeks to recover fully from TURP surgery. However, your surgeon or general practitioner will be able to tell you more precisely when it is completely safe to return to your usual chores or activities.
In the meantime, there are a few things that you must keep in mind if you want to speed up your recovery process:
- Drink lots of water or other essential fluids
- Get ample rest and sleep
- Avoid any kind of strenuous activity
- Take any medication prescribed by your doctor
What Are the Side Effects of TURP Surgery?
- Bleeding
- A urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Difficulty urinating (temporary)
- Erectile Dysfunction (rare)
- Need for retreatment (rare)
Note: All the above-mentioned side effects can be greatly minimized or even eliminated if the surgery is carried out by expert doctors or surgeons, such as those available at Pristyn Care.
TURP Surgery Aftercare:
- The cavity that is left in the prostate will most likely take between eight and twelve weeks to heal completely. Most patients will likely have greatly improved flow soon after the surgical procedure. However, symptoms like urinary urgency and urinary frequency can take up to 12 weeks to resolve completely.
- Furthermore, here are a few tips that you can follow to aid or expedite your recovery process:
- Take ample rest and sleep well (especially during the night)
- Stay away from any kind of (mental or physical) stress
- Eat healthy and nutritious foods
- Drink plenty of water and other necessary fluids
- Do not get involved in any kind of strenuous activity
- Do not pull, push, or lift any heavy objects
- Take the medicines (prescribed by your doctor) on time
- Be positive and have patience
Conclusion
As you may have read in the beginning of this article, TURP surgery is most commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This condition can cause an enlarged prostate, which leads to urinary symptoms for men. They may experience problems like difficulty urinating or a weak or interrupted stream.
These can be caused by the prostate swelling and pressing against the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the penis. As your well-wishers, we always want you to receive the best care possible. That is why we recommend TURP surgery for men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms.
Furthermore, we hope that this article was able to help you understand more about TURP surgery. For more information about this topic, feel free to contact us any day. Thank you for reading!
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