Enlarged Prostate: Other Surgeries

Topic Overview

There are many surgeries to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). But most have not been studied very much. The gold-standard surgery for BPH is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). When these new surgeries are studied, they are compared to TURP.

Other surgeries for BPH include:

• Laser, which is used to destroy a part of the prostate. This includes transurethral holmium laser ablation (HoLAP) and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP).
• High-frequency focused ultrasound, in which high frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are used to kill prostate cells.
• Rotoresection of the prostate, in which part of the prostate is removed in the same way as during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). But a new tool is used in rotoresection.
• Temporary stents. Stents are small tubes that are placed in the urethra at the place where the prostate is squeezing it closed. These stents expand and push the walls of the urethra open. They are meant for short-term use.
• Transurethral ethanol ablation of the prostate, in which a chemical (ethanol) is injected into the prostate. The ethanol destroys part of the prostate.
• Water-induced thermotherapy, in which very hot water is used to destroy part of the prostate.
• Laparoscopic and robotic prostatectomy.
• Minimally invasive surgery. This includes the prostatic urethral lift (such as Urolift) that improves urine flow by keeping the prostate tissue from blocking the urethra.