Treating BPH with minimally invasive Button TURP

One of the most common disorders affecting older men is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Fortunately, there are several effective treatment options, including medications and surgery that can shrink the prostate relieving symptoms. However, when it comes to surgical options, much confusion abounds on the best way to treat this disorder surgically. For men experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of BPH, an effective option to treat this condition is to use a minimally invasive procedure called Button TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate). 

What is BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is when the prostate gland in men becomes enlarged and is not cancerous.  Throughout a man’s lifetime, the prostate will double in size during puberty and again starting around age 25 it will continue to enlarge.  About half of all men age 50 and older have BPH and nearly all men by the time they reach age 80 and older will have it. 

As the prostate gland grows over the years, it will begin to press against and pinch the urethra blocking urine flow.  This results in making it harder for a man to urinate and could result in the following issues:

·      Failure to completely empty the bladder

·      Frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom often during the night

·      Frequent urinary tract infections

·      Bleeding from the prostate

·      Extremely slow or weak stream

·      Damage to the kidneys

·      Bladder stones

·      Bladder control issues due to an enlarged prostate

Men who have mild symptoms of BPH can often be treated with medication to shrink the enlarged prostate.  When medication becomes unsuccessful in treating BPH or is causing side effects, then Button TURP is the next step to consider.

What is Button TURP

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), also called bipolar cautery vaporization, is a surgery done to relieve ongoing bothersome urinary symptoms caused by BPH.  Button TURP is a surgical option that is less invasive for treating men with this condition.  Typically performed as an outpatient surgery, button TURP is performed under anesthesia with a scope used to view the prostate tissue.  Instead of a wire loop on the end of the scope, the surgeon uses a device with a small, button-shaped tip that uses heat to dissolve or vaporize the prostate tissue causing urinary obstruction in men.  This same button device can coagulate the remaining healthy tissue leading to less bleeding after the surgery.  

Button TURP uses low-temperature plasma energy to remove prostate tissue. Once the extra tissue is removed, the area around is sealed off to prevent bleeding.

Benefits of Button TURP

In the past, TURP was more invasive with a longer recovery time.  There were risks of bleeding, incontinence and impotence.  The hospital stay could be from 1 to 5 days with a 6-week restriction on activities during the post-recovery period.

Button Turp is just as effective as traditional TURP at shrinking the prostate but with significant improved and favorable outcomes.  Advantages of button TURP include performing surgery on an outpatient basis, minimal bleeding, no transfusions, may shorten the time men have to use a catheter (a tube to remove urine) and has a rapid recovery with faster return to activities.

Men who are experiencing BPH and are considering Button TURP should discuss this with a trained urologist specializing in this procedure.