BPH, short for benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a condition that affects many men. Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (aka LUTS) vary greatly and can include going to the bathroom often and urgently, difficulty emptying bladder, weak stream, and waking up at night frequently to go to the bathroom. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you and your Urologist can discuss management options ranging from observation to medication to surgery.
There are many surgical options available for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), and you should discuss these, along with risks and benefits, with your Urologist. Regional Urology offers it’s patients state of the art, minimally invasive surgical options for the treatment of BPH.
GreenLight Laser
The GreenLight Laser prostatectomy is a procedure that utilizes a laser to ablate or destroy prostatic tissue. The procedure is done while you are asleep (under general anesthesia) with a telescope through the tip of the penis (endoscope) and uses a laser to remove the prostatic tissue that is blocking the flow of urine. Benefits of the GreenLight Laser include decreased blood loss and decreased need for catheterization. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure. More that half a million men worldwide have been treated with the GreenLight Laser. It has well documented results and safety profiles dating back to 1997.
GreenLight Laser
The GreenLight Laser prostatectomy is a procedure that utilizes a laser to ablate or destroy prostatic tissue. The procedure is done while you are asleep (under general anesthesia) with a telescope through the tip of the penis (endoscope) and uses a laser to remove the prostatic tissue that is blocking the flow of urine. Benefits of the GreenLight Laser include decreased blood loss and decreased need for catheterization. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure. More that half a million men worldwide have been treated with the GreenLight Laser. It has well documented results and safety profiles dating back to 1997.
UroLift
The UroLift system is a minimally invasive approach to treating BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or an enlarged prostate) for patients looking for an alternative to drug therapy or more invasive surgery. The UroLift System is a straightforward procedure that utilizes tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra. There is no cutting, heating or removal of prostate tissue.
REZUM
The newest treatment is the REZUM procedure. REZUM uses stored thermal energy in water vapor (steam) to treat the extra prostate tissue that is causing common BPH symptoms. It does not require general anesthesia, preserves sexual & urinary function, and allows the patient to return to regular activties within a few days.
Simple Prostatectomy
Some prostates are just too large for endoscopic management an require a more traditional surgery. A simple prostatectomy is a surgery that involves an incision and removes the bulk of the prostate while leaving the prostatic capsule behind (similar to peeling an orange out of it’s peel). This is a different surgery than the radical prostate surgery that is done for prostate cancer.
Be sure to contact Derek, your Navigator, if you have questions about any of these options and how it might apply to you. Your Navigator is here for you!
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