The Use Of Minimally Invasive Surgery To Treat An Enlarged Prostate Gland

For the majority of people suffering from an enlarged prostate gland drug treatment is the answer and can reduce enlarged prostate symptoms to a satisfactory level. For others however drug treatment is not successful or is not a viable choice and the doctor might well recommend minimally invasive surgery.

The first procedure to think about is catheterization which is the use of a catheter inserted into the penis and bladder as a drain and is usually considered to be only a temporary solution. It is largely used for people who are waiting for the affects of drug treatment to kick in (several drugs used to treat an enlarged prostate gland take anywhere from 6 to 12 months before they show results) or for other surgical treatments. It can also be used to assist in treating prostate infections.

The second procedure to look at is Holmium laser enucleation prostate (HoLEP). This procedure, which is carried out under anesthetic and needs a short 1 to 2 days in hospital, involves the insertion of a resectoscope through the penis and into the urethra. After insertion a laser is then passed through the resectoscope and is used to remove tissue from the prostate.

A similar treatment to HoLEP is interstitial laser coagulation. This form of treatment is once again carried out under anesthetic but patients are not normally required to remain in hospital overnight. For this treatment a cystoscope, which is a metal tube through which a visual lens and laser can be passed, is used and tissue is burnt away from the enlarged prostate gland with laser energy.

Where the patient is not able to tolerate anesthetic a prostatic stent may be used. Stenting is the placement of a spring-like device into the urethra where it passes through the prostate gland to keep the urethra open. Sorry to say there are several problems associated with this form of treatment and it is commonly only used for patients who suffer from additional medical problems and for whom surgery presents an unacceptable.

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) is yet another form of minimally invasive surgery which does not require full anesthesia or hospitalization and can be carried out using a local anesthetic and oral pain drugs. Here a catheter is inserted through the penis and computer controlled microwaves are used to heat up and shrink sections of the prostate.

Yet another office-based procedure is TUNA (transurethral radio frequency needle ablation of the prostate). For this procedure drugs and light anesthesia are employed to make the patient drowsy and prostate gland tissue is heated and shrunk using radio frequency energy transmitted through several needles inserted directly into the prostate. This treatment at first produces a swelling of the prostate which is followed by shrinkage and individuals will generally need to use a catheter for a short time after this treatment.

There are clearly a variety of different forms of minimally invasive surgery available for the treatment of an enlarged prostate and individuals must discuss these with their doctor to decide which treatment will best suit their specific circumstances.

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