Trans-Urethral Resection of the Prostate, also known as TURP, is a surgical procedure used to treat an enlarged prostate. Enlarged prostates can cause frequent urges to urinate, difficulty urinating, slow urination, frequent urination at night, inability to completely empty your bladder, and urinary tract infections. Blocked urine flow due to the enlarged prostate can also affect kidney and bladder function, cause inability to control urination, bladder stones, blood in your urine, or an inability to urinate. TURP is the traditional surgical procedure used to combat these complications of prostate enlargement.
The Traditional TURP Surgical Procedure
The traditional TURP surgical procedure is done by inserting a device called a resectoscope into the tip of the penis through the urethra to the prostate gland where the surgeon can trim excess tissue from the prostate which is blocking urine flow, piece by piece. These pieces are removed at the end of the operation. After the procedure, patients will likely be in the hospital for at least 1 to 2 days and rely on a catheter to urinate for 24 to 48 hours or more until the swelling goes down and bleeding subsides. Patients may also experience irritating symptoms post-op, like blood in your urine, painful urination, or frequent urges to urinate. These symptoms typically last six to eight weeks.
The Laser TURP Procedure
With the help of a TURP laser, this procedure is equally effective and far less invasive. The Pathfinder Laser can perform the TURP procedure in a minimally invasive way, and as an outpatient procedure in a surgical suite or office rather than in the hospital. The benefits of using laser treatment for this surgery are significant:
- This treatment is minimally invasive, resulting in increased patient comfort.
- Significantly less bleeding.
- Decreased recovery times.
- Immediate symptom relief.
- Long-term results.
- No requirement for overnight stay.
- Shorter catheter time required post-op.
For more information about how the Pathfinder can improve patient comfort and treatment efficacy, contactthe team at Surgical Lasers, Inc. today.