Prostate disostructive surgery
A prostate disostructive surgery to be understood needs some premises. The prostate is a gland located under the bladder in men that plays a crucial role in the production of seminal fluid. As we age, the prostate may enlarge, causing urinary problems. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and can lead to symptoms such as difficulty initiating or stopping urinary flow, urinary urgency, weakness of urinary flow, and a feeling of not emptying the bladder completely.
When symptoms become severe and significantly affect quality of life, prostate disostructive surgery may be necessary. In this article, we will review the most common treatment options for dealing with BPH and the benefits and risks associated with these procedures.
Treatment Options
Several treatment options exist for BPH, but prostate disostructive surgery is considered when other less invasive therapies have been unsuccessful in improving symptoms or when the condition has progressed to a point where there is a significant risk to the patient’s health. The main nonpharmacological treatment options include:
- Transperineal Laser Therapy: Laser therapy is a procedure that uses heat produced by a laser to remove some of the excess prostate tissue. One of the most modern lasers is the procedure called TPLA, which uses heat to reduce the size of the prostate without any cutting. This procedure is outpatient.
REZUM
: exploits the same principle as TPLA but using steam.- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): This is a surgical procedure in which the doctor removes part of the prostate through the urethra.
- Prostate Enucleation: This procedure, like holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP) and involves removing the inner part of the prostate that obstructs the urethra. It represents one of the most modern and effective procedures in cases of large prostate.
- Aquabeam: this is a robotic-assisted water jet that can remove excess prostate tissue while preserving ejaculation in another percentage of cases.
When is Prostate Obstructive Surgery Necessary?
Prostate debulking surgery is generally considered when BPH symptoms become severe and significantly interfere with the patient’s quality of life. Some of the signs that might indicate the need for intervention include:
- Urinary Retention: When a patient is unable to urinate at all, it is an emergency situation and requires immediate intervention by catheterization.
- Recurrent Urinary Infections: Frequent urinary infections can be caused by difficulty in urinating completely, which can occur in advanced BPH.
- Bladder stones: Prolonged urinary retention can lead to the formation of bladder stones, which can cause further complications.
- Kidney Damage: If the BPH burden causes kidney damage, prompt treatment is needed to avoid permanent organ damage.
