transurethral resection of the prostate (turp)
article written by Dr. Hassan Khan
The outlet of the urinary bladder runs through the prostate gland.
This gland is walnut size and secretes the seminal fluid.
With age this gland enlarges and in some men the enlargement occurs much
faster than normal.This enlarged gland may cause restriction in the flow of urine.
This is manifested as slow stream, waking up at nights to pass urine and
may result in the sudden inability to pass urine.
TURP is the surgical management of the enlarged prostate gland. It is an endoscopic
procedure done via a telescope placed through the penis. An electro
surgical current is used to cut small pieces off the prostate. A variation
of this current is used to stop the bleeding. TURP is used to treat the
noncancerous enlarged prostate and is not a treatment option for prostate cancer.
Occasionally the pathologist may find cancer in the removed gland
and this may warrant further treatment.TURP can be done under
spinal or general anaesthesia.
TURP is NOT laser prostatectomy and has the advantage of sending
the prostate specimen for pathological reporting.
Complications of the procedure includes retrograde ejaculation,
bleeding and very rarely regrowth of the glandular tissue.
It does not alter sexual function.
TURP is a fairly common operation but with the development of highly
specific and successful medications this operation is becoming
less and less.
TURP is the GOLD STANDARD in management of the enlarged prostate
and Urologists spend many years perfecting this technique.