For most people suffering from an enlarged prostate gland drug treatment is the answer and can reduce enlarged prostate symptoms to a reasonable level. But, for others however drug treatment is not successful or is not a workable option and the doctor may advise one of several minimally invasive surgical procedures.
The first procedure to consider is catheterization which is the insertion of a catheter into the penis and bladder to act as a drain and is usually considered only as a temporary solution. It is generally used for patients who are waiting for medication to take affect (many drugs used to treat an enlarged prostate take 6 to 12 months before they show results) or for other surgical treatments. It can also be helpful in the treatment of infections.
The second procedure to examine is Holmium laser enucleation prostate (HoLEP). This procedure, which is done under anesthetic and involves a short 1 or 2 day stay in hospital, involves the insertion of a resectoscope through the penis and into the urethra. Once positioned a laser is then used to vaporize tissue from the prostate.
A comparable treatment to HoLEP is that of interstitial laser coagulation. This treatment is once again done under anesthesia although patients are not usually required to stay in hospital overnight. For this treatment a cystoscope, which is a metal tube through which a optical lens and laser can be passed, is used to burn away tissue from the enlarged prostate gland with laser energy.
If a patient is unable to accept anesthesia what is known as a prostatic stent may be used. Stenting is the insertion of a spring-like device in the urethra where it passes through the prostate gland to keep the urethra open. Regrettably there are one or two difficulties associated with this type of treatment and it is normally only used for patients who are suffering from additional medical problems which mean that surgery would present unacceptable risks.
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) is another method of minimally invasive surgery that does not involve full anesthesia or hospitalization and is done using a local anesthetic and oral pain medication. Here a catheter is inserted through the penis and microwaves are used to heat up and shrink areas of the prostate.
Yet another office-based procedure is TUNA (transurethral radio frequency needle ablation of the prostate). For this procedure light anesthesia and medication are used to make the patient sleepy and prostate gland tissue is heated using radio frequency energy transmitted through several needles placed directly into the prostate. This treatment initially causes a swelling of the prostate which is followed by shrinkage and individuals will usually have to use a catheter for a short period following the treatment.
There are clearly a number of different forms of minimally invasive surgery available for the treatment of an enlarged prostate and individuals must discuss these with their doctor to determine which would be best in their own particular circumstances.
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