Recovery: What to Expect

A TURP usually requires a hospital stay of 1 to 2 days.

• The Catheter: After surgery, a thin tube (catheter) is placed in the bladder to drain urine. It stays in for 24 to 48 hours to allow the prostate to heal and to flush out any blood clots.
• The First Week: You may feel a frequent, urgent need to urinate. This is normal as the bladder adjusts to the new “open” plumbing.
• Activity: No heavy lifting (nothing heavier than a gallon of milk) for 4 to 6 weeks. Walking is encouraged, but strenuous exercise is off-limits.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

A TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) is often referred to as the “gold standard” surgical treatment for an enlarged prostate, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Unlike traditional surgery, a TURP requires no external incisions. Instead, the surgeon reaches the prostate through the natural opening of the urethra.

 How the Procedure Works

The goal of a TURP is to “ream out” the core of the prostate to widen the urinary channel.

• The Tool: A device called a resectoscope is inserted through the tip of the penis.
• The Action: The resectoscope has a heated wire loop that trims away pieces of prostate tissue that are blocking urine flow.
• Fluid Flush: Throughout the surgery, a clear fluid is used to flush the area and carry the trimmed tissue into the bladder, where it is later washed out.
• Anesthesia: This is performed under general anesthesia (asleep) or spinal anesthesia (numb from the waist down).

Potential Side Effects

While TURP is highly effective at improving urine flow, there are specific side effects to be aware of:

Erectile Dysfunction: The risk is generally low (around 5-10%), as the nerves responsible for erections are outside the area being trimmed, but it is a factor to discuss with your surgeon.

Retrograde Ejaculation: This is the most common side effect (occurring in about 75% of cases). During orgasm, semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis. It is not harmful, but it does cause infertility.

Temporary Incontinence: You may experience some leaking or dribbling for a few weeks as the pelvic floor muscles regain strength.

For more information, please refer to the BAUS leaflet