Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common surgery to remove part of your prostate gland. It doesn’t use cuts (incisions), as many other types of surgeries do. Instead, a healthcare provider inserts a thin tool (resectoscope) into your urethra. The resectoscope uses an electric current or laser to remove prostate tissue.

Providers may recommend TURP when benign prostatic enlargement/hyperplasia (BPE/BPH) causes your prostate to get too big. Your prostate surrounds your urethra (the tube where pee comes out). An enlarged prostate can squeeze your urethra and cause symptoms like:

• Urges to pee every one to two hours
• Waking up a lot to pee (nocturia)
• Changes to your pee stream, including a weak stream, trickling and starting/stopping

In some cases, your provider may also recommend a transurethral (pronounced “TRANZ-yoo-REE-thrul”) resection of the prostate to treat kidney stones or kidney damage from BPE/BPH.

Is it a major surgery?

Though TURP doesn’t use incisions, it is a major surgery. You’ll receive anesthesia to prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure. You may also need to stay at the hospital for a day or two after TURP. This allows healthcare providers to monitor you as you recover.

What happens before transurethral resection of the prostate?

Before the procedure, you’ll meet with your healthcare provider to:

• Check your overall health and vitals
• Review any medications you’re taking that may increase your risk of bleeding
• Check for allergies
• Discuss which type of anesthesia is best for you
• Get instructions on eating and drinking

Who makes up my care team?

Your care team typically includes:

• A urologist
• An anesthesiologist
• Nurses
• Surgical technicians

What happens during the procedure?

Your urologist performs TURP in an operating room. During the procedure, they’ll:

1. Insert a resectoscope into your urethra.
2. Examine your prostate.
3. Remove excess prostate tissue with a laser or electric current.
4. Use fluid to flush the prostate tissue into your urinary bladder.
5. Drain any excess tissue out of your bladder through your urethra.
6. Remove the resectoscope.
7. Insert a urinary catheter to ensure you can pee freely afterward.

TURP usually takes about 90 minutes.

What happens after?

After your procedure, nurses will take you to a recovery area. Some people stay in the hospital for a day or two after TURP. But you may be able to go home the same day as the procedure. A provider will usually remove your catheter before you go home.

What are the potential benefits and risks?

TURP benefits include:

• Fast results, with many people noticing symptom relief within a few days
• Faster recovery than other procedures that use incisions
• Effective treatment of severe BPE/BPH symptoms that don’t respond to other treatments

Urinary retention is the most common complication. It occurs after nearly 6 out of every 100 TURP procedures. Other possible TURP complications or side effects may include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Retrograde ejaculation
• Loss of bladder control
• Inability to completely empty your bladder when you pee (urinary retention)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Blood in your pee (hematuria)
• Another procedure if your symptoms don’t go away (surgical revision)

How long will it take for me to feel better?

It takes most people four to six weeks to fully recover after TURP. If you have a desk job, you may be able to return to work after two to three weeks. You may need more time off if your job requires a lot of physical activity.

As you recover, you should avoid:

• Lifting anything heavier than a gallon of water (about 10 pounds)
• Strenuous exercises, including running, bicycling and martial arts
• Sexual activity, including masturbation
• Driving or operating machinery if you’re taking prescription pain medications

Your healthcare provider will let you know when it’s safe to resume these activities.

How much pain will I feel?

It’s moderately painful. You may have discomfort or pain while the catheter is in place and during catheter removal. It’s also normal to have a burning feeling when you pee for several days after the catheter comes out. You can manage any discomfort or pain with prescription pain medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

It’s important to remember that your body is unique. How you feel after the procedure may be different from others.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• New urinary symptoms, like a weak pee stream or peeing more than usual
• Bright-red pee
• Stringy red or brown blobs in your pee (blood clots)