Invasive Surgery

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has long been the gold standard for treating BPH. In a TURP procedure, the doctor passes a thin tube through the urethra into the center of the prostate gland, then scrapes away prostate tissue with an instrument inserted through the tube. In a TURP procedure, you are given general or spinal anesthesia, and you need to stay in a hospital for one to three days. Long-term side effects may include incontinence, impotence and retrograde ejaculation.3

With photovaporization of the prostate (PVP), a thin, flexible laser-tipped fiber is inserted into the urethra, and laser energy removes targeted prostate tissue. This treatment is generally done at a hospital or ambulatory surgery center.4 While otherwise healthy patients can undergo the procedure on an outpatient basis (no overnight stay), the average hospital stay is 1.1 days.5 The most common risks associated with PVP are blood in the urine, difficult or painful urination short-term and urinary tract infection.5

Both of these surgical procedures are covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies.