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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Enlarged Prostate Treatment

Prostate enlargement, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a common problem in men over age 50. Pressure from the enlarged prostate can cause urinary urgency, frequent urination, and leakage. Depending on the severity of symptoms our urologists have a variety of treatment options:

Medication

If hyperplasia is not too pronounced, medication can be used to treat the symptoms.

  • Alpha blockers facilitate urination by relaxing muscles in the prostate and bladder.
  • 5 alpha reductase inhibitors shrink the prostate by blocking the hormonal changes that cause prostate growth.
  • Anticholinergics reduce urgency and frequency of urination.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

For this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon inserts a scope through the urethra and uses electricity to remove excess tissue.


(Watch, as Robert Chan, M.D. shares what to expect during the recovery period following a transurethral resection of prostate procedure for BPH or an enlarged prostate)

Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)

Rather than removing excess prostate tissue, this procedure involves making incisions in the prostate, next to the bladder, to relax the bladder and make urination easier.

Laser Surgery

In this minimally invasive procedure, a small fiber is inserted into the urethra. The fiber delivers high-powered laser energy to the prostate, causing the enlarged tissue to dissolve or vaporize.

Robotic Surgery

Surgical removal of the prostate with the da Vinci Xi® surgical system is an option for most patients. Robotic-assisted surgery is minimally invasive and typically results in less blood loss, less scarring and faster recovery. Most patients are discharged the day after surgery with very little pain.

Urolift

The UroLift® System is a simple device that is used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). If a man has this condition, Urolift may be a solution for him.

The Urolift device works by pulling back the tissue blocking the urethra, like pulling back curtains on a window. The UroLift Delivery Device is inserted transurethrally through a rigid sheath under cystoscopic visualization in order to reach the targeted area of obstruction. The obstructing prostatic lobes are retracted by small permanent UroLift Implants which are deployed via a needle that comes out of the delivery device. Each UroLift Delivery Device contains one UroLift Implant. Typically, 4-5 UroLift Implants are placed into the prostate. The implants are used to hold the tissue out of the way, so men can void better.

Rezum Procedure

The Rezum Procedure uses sterile water vapor (steam) that is injected into the enlarged portions of the prostate. The steam causes the prostate cells that are responsible for the enlargement to die-off, which then leads to shrinking of the prostate, which in turn creates a more open urinary pathway. The Rezum Procedure can be done with mild sedation (like sedation used for a colonoscopy) and does not require a general anesthesia.


(Watch, as Robert Chan, M.D. describes the Rezum Procedure for BPH)