Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

 > Urology

 > Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

What causes prostate problems?

Your prostate gland is an organ that lies under your bladder and surrounds your urethra (tube that carries urine and semen to the tip of your penis). Prostate problems are caused by the growth of your prostate gland.

It is normal for your prostate gland to get larger with age. If the gland tightens around your urethra it can interrupt the flow of urine from your bladder.

What are the benefits of surgery?

You should get a better flow of urine and improved bladder emptying, and not need to pass urine as often during the night.

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

For most men an operation is not essential. There are medications available to treat the condition but this is rarely a permanent solution.

What does the operation involve?

The operation is performed under a general or spinal anaesthetic. The operation usually takes less than an hour.

Your surgeon will place a resectoscope (a small operating telescope) with lubricating fluid into your urethra and remove enough prostate tissue to relieve the pressure on your urethra.

How soon will I recover?

You will feel a stinging pain the first few times you pass urine.

You should be able to go home after 2 to 3 days.

You should be able to return to work after 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your type of work.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most men make a good recovery, with a large improvement in their symptoms.

Your prostate gland can grow larger again and symptoms can come back and be worse.

What complications can happen?

Some complications can be serious and can even cause death.

General complications of any operation

  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Blood clot in your leg
  • Blood clot in your lung

Specific complications of this operation

  • Feeling breathless or confused
  • Problems having an erection
  • Difficulty passing urine
  • Incontinence
  • Needing to pass urine more often and sudden urges to pass urine
  • Reduction in fertility
  • Narrowing of your urethra

Pricing*

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
Guide price
£6,150

Consultant fees and diagnostics
Our fixed-price packages do not include consultant fees for the initial consultation. Consultation fees will vary, but on average they tend to start from around £200.
You will also need to pay separately for diagnostics carried out during this initial consultation, for example, if you need an X-ray or blood tests. Your consultant will check that you are OK with all prices before booking any procedures.

This document is intended for information purposes only and should not replace advice your healthcare team gives you. This information is published under license from EIDO Healthcare UK and is protected by copyright. Other than for your personal, non-commercial use, you may not copy, print, download or otherwise reproduce it.

Prostate problems are common. If your medication does not help or symptoms are severe, prostate surgery should relieve your symptoms.

What to do next
  1. Talk to us about ways to pay, either insured or self-pay, and find out if you need a referral from your doctor.
  2. If you need one, ask your GP for a referral letter.
  3. Call us to book an appointment with a consultant.
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