Men who experience moderate to severe symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, have an option to treat this condition using a minimally invasive procedure called Button TURP. 

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) 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. 

A device on the end of a scope shaped like a button 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.  

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 performingsurgery 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.