TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE (TUR-P)

is the term given to the operation performed on an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate is the name of the gland surrounding the male urethra at its junction with the bladder outlet (bladder neck) which often becomes enlarged after middle age and may require removal if it causes obstruction to the flow of urine. One notices that urinary flow is feeble and interrupted and if this continues long enough may eventually stop completely.
Surgery is often necessary to enlarge the bladder outlet. The inner prostate gland is removed by operating through the urethra (urinary tract). The surgical method is decided in each individual case after thorough prostate examination. The wound at the bladder neck (inside) is the same which ever surgical method is chosen.

When the surgery is completed a catheter is inserted through the urinary tract (urethra) to the bladder, through which we flush out and rinse the bladder. When this fluid is clear enough the catheter is removed. When the catheter is removed it is your own urine that rinses the sore at the bladder outlet, therefore it is important to drink plenty (at least 2 litres a day) to produce enough urine. At the same time helping retrain the bladder to retain urine, also very important. You can exercise and retrain the sphincter by tightening and releasing the muscles many times a day. By tightening the sphincter, you hinder at the same time the reflex to empty the bladder. This training may be somewhat difficult immediately after surgery. You will have pain in the wound and are in suspense about how things will go, however it is very important that you are active and make an effort yourself.
The surgeon can remove the obstruction at the neck of the bladder but it is you, yourself who must take over control of bladder function – emptying your bladder. When you manage to hold urine for 3-4 hours during the day you will have a chance to sleep peacefully at night.

The sperm ducts empty out at the bladder neck. The bladder outlet is widened such after surgery that sperm empties into the bladder on ejaculation and little or nothing comes through the urinary tract(penis). This has no effect on potency.

The wound left after surgery at the neck of the bladder usually needs between six and eight weeks to heal, often longer. Bleeding may occur at this time and loose slants of tissue may loosen from the bladder outlet. This is noticed by the red colour and particles seen in the urine and maybe misinterpreted as a urinary tract infection if a urine test is carried out before at least two months after surgery. For better rinsing of the bladder it is important to drink plenty of fluids so as to produce abundant urine.

It is important to avoid increased pressure in the tissue surrounding the bladder during the weeks needed for the wound at the bladder neck to heal because this may easily cause bleeding from the sore.
You are therefore, not to do any heavy lifting, not to press whilst moving bowels or passing urine, and to avoid hard coughing.

You are discharged home the day after surgery. You are not permitted to drive a car home.
When you notice blood and tissue particles in the urine after surgery remember that the open sore at the bladder outlet need about one and a half to two months (6-8 weeks) to heal.
You can expect to take antibiotics for 3-4 weeks after surgery.

The length of sick leave depends among other things on what type of work you have.