Transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP has been the most common procedure performed for the quick relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. It is also known as a scraping or a roto-rooter since it is similar to the solutions of clearing out the plumbing or scraping out the build up of an unwanted obstruction.

Transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP has been the most successful method for prostate enlargement for the last few decades. Before we look at the different “cures” for each enlarged prostate symptom, let’s look at just what benign prostatic hyperplasia is.

 

 

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Crushes the Plumbing

The cells of the prostate start to multiply (hyperplasia) and /or enlarge (hypertrophy) some time during our thirties and forties. This division and enlargement of prostate cells is different from the division of cancer cells or noncancerous tumors which is called neoplasia.
As the prostate cells start requiring more space in our prostate, different symptoms start to occur. Symptoms that effect urination and sexual function are common. Since the prostate has an outer covering called the capsule the prostate cells can not spread out due to the confinement of the prostates capsule, so the prostate cells start compressing against each other, until they press against and deform the passage (urethra) for both urine and sperm to travel out of the body.
Shutting down the urethra leads to symptoms such as urinary retention, urinary frequency, urinary infection, blood in urine, and sexual impotence.
This hyperplasia or multiplication of prostate cells generally takes decades for most men to become bothered enough to finally make the trip to the urologist’s office. Since prostate cancer and prostate enlargement have similar symptoms our urologists clarify your true medical problem with several diagnostic tools.
To see if you should have a TURP or any of the other procedures for your enlarged prostate symptom here are some of the diagnostic tools we use at our urology office. A medical history and a physical along with a simple PSA test (blood test) are initially taken. Other tests may be used to get specific information on your enlarged prostate symptoms.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, as your solution for your BPH symptoms, is determined by the results of your medical diagnostic work up. This may include a function test of your bladder called a urodynamic study which shows:

• If your bladder pressures are strong enough to empty your bladder
• How much obstruction is the cause of your problem
• If the sphincter of your bladder relaxes to allow the urine to leave the bladder
• The rate of your flow (stream) of urine
• How much urine you are leaving in your bladder after you urinate (urinary retention)
• If bladder spasms may be the cause of your symptoms.
• The capacity of your bladder

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