What Is a Prostate Resection?

A prostate resection is a common medical procedure used to remove a portion of the prostate, or more commonly a blockage within it, when medical problems call for such a measure. This procedure is very invasive and the patient will usually be released to go home on the same day. The resection is designed to improve urine flow from the prostate to the bladder, and since there are no incisions required for most procedures, recovery is fast and easy. There are four different procedures that can be done when prostate problems occur, as well as surgery when required, all of which fall under the procedure of prostate resection.

The first type of prostate resection that can be performed by the medical provider is a laser prostatectomy. This process is similar to other types of laser treatments, meaning that it burns the area of the prostate that is having problems. If a blockage is present, this method will effectively remove it by turning it into numerous smaller particles, which can then be passed out through the urine. A catheter may have to be placed inside of the bladder before the patient is allowed to go home, which is usually within the same day.

A procedure that many men are aware of is the transurethral needle ablation process. This medical procedure is exactly as the name sounds. Small needles will be worked into the prostate and then ultrasonic waves will be pumped through them, effectively eliminating any blockages that may be present. The third type of prostate resection is similar to this as well, except that an antenna, rather than a needle, is used and microwave waves are pushed through it. This procedure is medically known as transurethral microwave thermotherapy, or TUMT for short.

The final procedure that can be performed to remove a basic blockage from the prostate is the transurethral electro vaporization technique. This is similar to the two discussed above, but a specially designed surgical instrument is used to carry high voltage electrical currents into the prostate region. Once again, this effectively destroys the blockage and allows it to be passed out through the urine.

Even though the techniques that do not require surgery are preferred when it comes to prostate resection, there are times when the medical expert must use the old fashioned method to remove the blockage. This is done with a common surgery that typically allows the patient to go home within the same day. All major surgeries have increased risk factors, so complications may arise that will require a short hospital stay.