T.U.R.P.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

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Site authored by John Fife

Diagrams of Prostate on What is TURP? page Information on non-surgerical procedures & overthe-counter products (see the F ! and "edications pages#$ "ore information on the postop condition of retrograde ejaculation and its affect on postop se% (see the F ! and What is TURP? and Share pages#$ The purpose of this &e' site is to share patient-side information( support( e%periences and tips for those &ho have had the TURP operation) those scheduled to have a procedure) those undecided a'out &hether to have the surger*) and &hat others methods of treatment are availa'le$ This is done '* providing an e%tensive +lin,s+ (References# page that offers directions for o'taining more information( a +Tips+ page that gives a +lessons learned+ list for those having the TURP procedure (or are the support someone who is#( a "edications page listing normal post-op meds and over-the-counter her'al products( and

What is T.U.R.P?

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure to deal with patients with an enlarged, benign (not cancerous) prostate, called enign Prostate !yperplasia or P!. The correct ter" for the procedure is adenomectomy (re"o#al of a portion of the prostate), but the "ore co""on ter" of prostatectomy is probably what you ha#e heard or seen.

The prostate is a walnut$si%ed gland located in front of the rectu", at the outlet of the bladder. &t contains gland cells that produce so"e the se"inal fluid, which protects and nourishes sper" cells in se"en. 'ou are being considered for this operation because your prostate has o#er ti"e accu"ulated a dense capsule around the urinary channel (called urethra) at the bladder entrance and it is restricting the nor"al flow of urine out of the bladder. (ost "en o#er age )* ha#e an enlarging prostate that "ay e#entually cause

sy"pto"s.

Sy"pto"s can include inter"ittant flow during urination+ fre,uent urination due to bladder not fully e"ptying+ lac- of pressure or flow of urine out of the penis+ lea-age+ and a feeling that you are ne#er really finished urinating. The actual TURP procedure is basically where the doctor inserts a de#ice up the urethra #ia the penis opening and scrapes$out the e.cess capsule "aterial that has been restricting the flow, and then the area is cauteri%ed with another special tool. The difference between the density of the nor"al prostate and the restriciting capsule "a-es it relati#ely easy for the surgeon to tell e.actly how "uch to re"o#e. This is considered "a/or surgery, so e.pect an e.tended and challenging reco#ery period. 'ou can choose to be half awa-e or totally under #ia anesthetic during the

operation. The surgery usually ta-es 0 012 to 2 hours. 3s with all surgery, there are potential co"plications, and the surgery is not always totally successful. 'our doctor can discuss the ris-s based upon your situation. 4ne co""on benefit or detri"ent (based upon your point of #iew) is that nor"ally after the operation, your e/aculations will not e.it your penis, but instead enter your bladder, to be e.pelled later when you urinate. This is due to the nor"al occurance during the operation of the sphincter "uscle (#al#e) at the bladder being destroyed alone with the e.cess prostate "aterial, creating what is called retrograde ejaculation. !owe#er, this should not be considered a fool$proof "ethod of birth control, as so"e sper" still finds the other path. 4ther than that, your se.ual capabilites and e.perience should not be altered by the surgery. 4ther than that, your se.ual capabilites and e.perience should not be altered by the surgery, at least for any physical reason. See the F35 and Share Pages for "ore infor"ation on this i"portant sub/ect.

This is a #ery co""on operation and has been perfor"ed successfully on hundreds of thousands of patients since the early 067*8s. (any "en 9put up with9 the sy"pto"s of P! for years thin-ing, 9& will do it when & absolutely ha#e to9. 'et you "ay pay a price for that thin-ing: it has been shown that "en that ha#e a bladder that only partially #oids, will o#er ti"e lose its nor"al state, and instead beco"es: enlarged (so"eti"es double in si%e), distended, flabby, li-e an old, o#er$ e.tended, rubber band. So -eep in "ind you are ris-ing this by waiting to ha#e so"ething done when you ha#e all the sy"pto"s of P!.
This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment of prostate problems. If you suspect prostate problems, contact your health care provider

finall* a !uestions and ns&ers page$ It has 'een the author-s e%perience that medical facilities are increasingl* moving to&ards providing TURP (or the other procedures# as an out-patient treatment &ith the patient 'eing responsi'le for the recover* period$ .o&ever( there has not seemingl* 'een a sufficient complementar* increase in education or support for

the patient to effectivel* deal &ith his o&n recover*$ This site is intended to provide the education and support that a patient needs( to deal &ith this innatel* uncomforta'le period of recover*( help others decide if the operation is appropriate for them( and if so( &hich procedure is 'est for their situation$ We highl* suggest *ou stud* all possi'le procedures 'efore deciding on one$ Use the lin,s 'elo& to find the information *ou need and for Fre/uentl* s,ed !uestions and ns&ers (F !s# clic, on the 'ouncing /uestion mar,$ This site solicits input from an*one &ith a desire to share their e%perience or ,no&ledge of TURP &ith others$ 0ou can do so on the 1hare 2no&ledge page( or send email using the envelope icon 'elo&$ Want information on the author of this &e'site? clic, here
This information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or treatment of prostate problems. If you suspect prostate problems, contact your health care provider.