Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a standard surgical procedure for treating an enlarged (benign) prostate. The goal of this surgery is to remove the part of the prostate that is causing symptoms. This surgical procedure is considered a “minimally invasive” treatment. People with prostates between 30 and 80 millimeters in size are best candidates for this procedure. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. In this surgery, the doctor uses a resectoscope to enter the bladder through the urethra. The resectoscope is a type of endoscope that has a wire loop at the end that cuts the prostate with a high-frequency electrical current. In addition, a camera on the resectoscope allows the doctor to examine the prostate through high-quality images on a video screen. During surgery, the doctor uses this ring to remove the adenoma (benign tumor) in small pieces from the bladder and urethra.