BPH Surgery

BPH surgery is performed in a variety of ways. Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) and transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) are both minimally-invasive forms of surgery for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Other forms of BPH surgery include: transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), open prostatectomy, and laser surgery.

BPH Information

BPH Surgery: An Introduction

While the number of prostate surgeries being performed has gone down over the years, operations for BPH treatment are still one of the most common surgeries for American men. BPH surgery is used when enlarged prostate symptoms are severe or when medications for BPH have not worked well.

Most doctors recommend removal of the enlarged part of the prostate as the best long-term solution for patients with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). With BPH surgery, only the enlarged tissue that is pressing against the urethra is removed -- the rest of the inside tissue and the outside capsule are left intact. Surgery usually relieves the obstruction and incomplete emptying of the bladder caused by BPH.

Two types of BPH surgery that are minimally-invasive include:

TUNA (transurethral needle ablation)
TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy).

Other forms of BPH surgery include:

TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate)
TUIP (transurethral incision of the prostate)
Open prostatectomy
Laser surgery.

(BPH Surgery Continued: Page 2)