Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

The procedure

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure designed to relieve urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate enlargement.

TURP is performed without any external incisions. A specialized instrument called a resectoscope is inserted through the urethra to remove portions of the enlarged prostate that are obstructing urine flow. This leads to a significant improvement in urination and quality of life.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects nearly 50% of men by age 60, with symptoms such as:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Weak urine stream
• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying

TURP is designed to:

• Remove excess prostate tissue
• Restore normal urine flow
• Reduce urinary frequency and urgency
• Prevent BPH-related complications

HOW DOES TURP WORK?

TURP is typically performed in a hospital setting under general or spinal anesthesia. Using a resectoscope—a narrow tube with a light, camera, and surgical loop—your surgeon accesses the prostate through the urethra.

The resectoscope trims away the overgrown prostate tissue one piece at a time. As tissue is removed, fluid carries the pieces to the bladder, which are then flushed out. This internal-only approach means no cuts on the skin and a shorter hospital recovery.

The procedure generally takes 60–90 minutes. A catheter is placed postoperatively to help drain the bladder during healing and is usually removed within 1–3 days.

Benefits

TURP has been the gold standard for BPH surgery for decades, offering long-term relief from urinary symptoms. For men whose symptoms haven’t improved with medication, TURP can offer significant improvement in daily quality of life.

The possible benefits of TURP include:

• Noticeably stronger urine flow
• Reduction in nighttime urination
• Relief from incomplete bladder emptying
• Improvement in UTIs caused by urine retention
• Long-lasting symptom control (often 10+ years)
• No external incisions
• Low risk of erectile dysfunction

Risks

TURP is a highly effective procedure, but like all surgeries, it carries potential risks. Most side effects are temporary and resolve within weeks.

Possible risks include:

• Temporary difficulty urinating
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Retrograde ejaculation (dry orgasm)
• Small risk of erectile dysfunction
• Bleeding during or after surgery
• Incontinence (rare)
• TURP syndrome (extremely rare)
• Possible need for future retreatment

When performed by experienced specialists at Steinberg Urology, these risks are minimized through careful planning and postoperative care.

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