Enlarged Prostate Surgery
An enlarged prostate is know medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia. This occurs when the prostate experiences and increase in its size. This generally occurs in older men. When the prostate becomes significantly larger, it can compress the urethra and create blockage of urinary flow.
Surgery
Surgery is usually recommended for an enlarged prostate when other methods of treatment are not effective. A procedure known as transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) is the most popular choice for treating enlarged prostate with surgery. The procedure consists of removing the enlarged part of the prostate by extracting it through the urethra. Newer methods are also being developed and tested that attempt to remove the extra amount of tissue without causing damage to what remains of the organ.
Transurethral surgery does not require any incision to be made. The patient is given anesthesia and a doctor inserts a special instrument called a resectoscope into the urethra. The enlarged and blocking tissue is removed piece by piece and then flushed out from the bladder. The duration of this procedure is about 90 minutes long. TURP is often recommended as it is a less serious procedure and allows for a faster recovery time than open surgery.
If transurethral resection of prostate surgery cannot be done to correct an enlarged prostate, open surgery is required. The patient is given anesthesia and an incision is made so that surgeon can reach the prostate. Once the prostate has been reached, the enlarged portion of tissue is removed. Open surgery requires an incision to be made when a prostate is severely enlarged. Open surgery may also be required if there has been damage to the bladder that needs to be repaired at the same time. The size and location of the enlargement as well as the patient's overall help usually play a part in determining what kind of open surgery will be used.
Methods of surgery using lasers are also being more widely developed over the past several years. One such procedure involves using a high-power laser and inserting a laser fiber into the prostate. The laser uses a deflecting angle to vaporize excess tissue. Laser ablation is also being experimented with when it comes to enlarged prostate surgery. Side firing lasers are used to remove tissue from the prostate. When performing laser surgery, the laser fiber is is passed through the urethra to reach the prostate. Once this is complete, several energy bursts are used to destroy the tissue. Each burst lasts about 30 to 60 seconds each. Laser surgery does require the use of anesthetics and must be performed in a hospital. Benefits to laser surgery include very little loss of blood and a shorter time to recover. However, since laser surgery technologies are still relatively new, their long term effects are still unknown.
Recovery
Recovery from surgery depends on the type of surgery that was performed. Some surgeries may require a stay at the hospital for a few days. After returning home from the hospital, there are certain steps to take in the coming weeks of recovery. With open surgery, there will be a healing incision that cannot be strained. It is important to not make sudden movements in order for the incision to fully heal. Eating a balanced diet and drinking large amounts of water will help flush out the bladder and prevent constipation. Heavy lifting and driving should also be avoided for several weeks. A doctor should be able to advise a patient recovering from prostate surgery on when they can return to their normal routine and level of activity.
Even after recovering from surgery, yearly prostate exams are recommended to prevent any recurrence of problems. While problems with the prostate can come back, surgery usually offers a time period of about 15 years without any issues. Scar tissue can sometimes develop after surgery and will need to be treated accordingly.
