There are several surgical options for treating an enlarged prostate, and the best one for an individual depends on the size of the prostate and overall health. The following are some of the surgical options for treating an enlarged prostate:
Minimally invasive surgery:
- Rezūm water vapor therapy: A device is inserted into the urethra, and a small needle delivers water vapor or steam to treat the excess prostate tissue. It is usually performed in the doctors office.
- Laser surgery: A doctor uses laser energy to kill off prostate tissue and shrink the gland. Laser procedures usually give symptom relief and better urinary flow similar to TURP. However, some laser therapies produce fewer side effects than others and also reduce the risk of bleeding.
Invasive surgery:
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): This is generally considered the most effective treatment for an enlarged prostate. An instrument called a resectoscope is inserted through the tip of the penis and into the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The resectoscope helps the doctor see and trim away excess prostate tissue thats blocking urine flow.
- Simple prostatectomy: This works best for very large prostates. The surgeon removes prostate tissue through an incision in the lower abdomen.
- Open prostatectomy (open surgery): A doctor often does this when the prostate is greatly enlarged, when there are complications, or when the bladder has been damaged and needs to be repaired.
The decision on which surgery to use depends on the size of the prostate, the severity of the symptoms, and the patients overall health. While TURP has been considered the most effective treatment for an enlarged prostate, a number of other minimally invasive procedures are becoming more effective.
