Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a procedure used to treat urinary problems that are caused by an enlarged prostate.
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland between the penis and the bladder that produces seminal fluid in men. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.
As you age, your prostate may become enlarged and squeeze your urethra, causing urination difficulty. This is a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or enlarged prostate.
TREATMENT
After anesthesia, a surgeon will insert a tool called a resectoscope through your urethra and into the prostate. which will allow the surgeon to see your prostate gland. As small pieces of tissue are cut from inside your prostate, the pieces are flushed into the bladder and then drained out through the urethra. The portion removed will depend on the shape and size of your prostate. Once the surgeon removes the scope a catheter is inserted into your bladder to drain urine. No incisions will be made during the procedure.
Why it's done
- Frequent urination
- Difficulty starting urination
- Slow (prolonged) urination
- Increased frequency of urination at night
- The feeling you can't empty your bladder
- Urinary tract infections