Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) | HMT St Hugh's Hospital

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

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> Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

What causes prostate problems?

Your prostate gland is an organ that lies under your bladder and surrounds your urethra (tube that carries urine and semen to the tip of your penis). Prostate problems are caused by the growth of your prostate gland.

It is normal for your prostate gland to get larger with age. If the gland tightens around your urethra it can interrupt the flow of urine from your bladder.

What are the benefits of surgery?

You should get a better flow of urine and improved bladder emptying, and not need to pass urine as often during the night.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

For most men an operation is not essential. There are medications available to treat the condition but this is rarely a permanent solution.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is performed under a general or spinal anaesthetic. The operation usually takes less than an hour.

Your surgeon will place a resectoscope (a small operating telescope) with lubricating fluid into your urethra and remove enough prostate tissue to relieve the pressure on your urethra.

How soon will I recover?

You will feel a stinging pain the first few times you pass urine.

You should be able to go home after 2 to 3 days.

You should be able to return to work after 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your type of work.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most men make a good recovery, with a large improvement in their symptoms.

Your prostate gland can grow larger again and symptoms can come back and be worse.

What complications can happen?

Some complications can be serious and can even cause death.

General complications of any operation

Pain
Bleeding
Infection
Blood clot in your leg
Blood clot in your lung

Specific complications of this operation

Feeling breathless or confused
Problems having an erection
Difficulty passing urine
Incontinence
Needing to pass urine more often and sudden urges to pass urine
Reduction in fertility
Narrowing of your urethra

Availability

NHS/Private

Pricing*

Consultant

£769

Anaesthetist

£255

Hospital

£5876

Prices start from

£6900

*The prices shown are minimum guide prices only. Diagnostic scans and investigations are not included unless otherwise stated. The exact cost of treatment will be made clear to you before you proceed.

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.

Prostate problems are common. If your medication does not help or symptoms are severe, prostate surgery should relieve your symptoms.

What to do next

Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
If you need one, ask your doctor for a referral letter.
Call us to book an appointment with a consultant.

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I can’t thank everyone enough for the amazing care given. Such lovely attentive nurses. I will definitely recommend St Hughs and Mr Riaz and his team. Brilliant hospital.

Could not fault anything about my stay in St Hughs. Everybody was wonderful. Thank you all.

Everybody was kind, considerate and a jolly bunch, which helps to put you at ease and gives you confidence in knowing that they know what they are doing. 5 stars.

All staff extremely kind, patient and friendly. A credit to the hospital. Thank you.

Very good hospital and very good staff. I have never met so many caring people in one place. The nursing was 1st class. The encouragement to walk was also very good.

I had an amazing experience during my time at St Hugh’s Hospital, from my initial consultation to the aftercare following my procedure. Communication with the cosmetic nurse was brilliant; every member of staff I met was kind respectful, caring and polite. My surgeon was fantastic, so professional and kind, I trusted his knowledge completely.