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Urological health
Transurethral resection
of the prostate (TURP)
Transurethral resection of the prostate involves surgery to remove part of an enlarged prostate
that is making urinating difficult.
What is the prostate?
• The prostate is a small gland, normally about the size
of a chestnut.
• It surrounds a man’s urethra (the tube through which
urine flows), between the bladder and the muscle
that controls urine flow (external sphincter)
(See diagram Anatomy of prostate, side view).
Anatomy of prostate, side view
bladder
prostate
external
sphincter
urethra
penis
What causes the prostate to get larger?
• As men get older, the prostate often gets larger and
squeezes the urethra so that it is harder for you to
empty your bladder. This condition is called benign
prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) or BPH.
• You and your urologist will discuss your case and think
about all the factors that apply to you. The two of
you will decide on the type of prostate surgery that
may be best for you and your situation.
What happens during prostate surgery?
• This type of prostate surgery removes parts of the
prostate to let your urine flow more freely and your
bladder empty more completely. This surgery is a safe
and effective treatment for most men.
• A special tool (called a resectoscope) is passed
through your penis that contains the urethra (See
diagram Anatomy of prostate, side view) and hollows
out the inside of your prostate.
• This process, called trans-urethral resection of the
prostate, or TURP, is the most common method
used when surgery is necessary.
What should I know before this surgery?
• Your surgery will be done at a hospital and usually,
you will be admitted the same day as your operation.
• You will be given information about the time, date,
and location of the surgery along with any
examinations that you might need.
• You may also meet with your anaesthesiologist who
will let you know how to make you most comfortable
during surgery (See below “What happens during
surgery?”).
• You will be asked about medications that you
are taking (such as blood thinners, aspirin, arthritis
medications or even “natural herbs”) because they
could possibly increase your risk for bleeding. It may
be necessary to stop taking any before surgery. It is
important to talk with your doctor if you are not sure
about what you are taking.
What occurs during surgery?
• There are two main types of anaesthetic used to
prevent pain during the surgery:
1. Spinal anaesthetic (“freezing” you from the
waist down with a needle in your back)
2. General anaesthetic (putting you completely to
sleep).
• The resectoscope is used to cut away parts of the
prostate that are bulging into or blocking the urethra.
• The cut-away pieces are cleared out of the bladder
and removed through the urethra.
• No cuts are made to the skin.
• The entire surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
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