Understanding Prostate Surgery: Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

Prostate Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide to TURP

Have you ever heard about something called the prostate? It’s a small but super important part of a man’s body. Sometimes, as men get older, this little gland can grow bigger and cause problems with going to the bathroom. But don’t worry, there’s something called TURP that can help fix it!

TURP stands for Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. It’s a fancy way of saying that doctors use a special tool to fix the big prostate problem without making any big cuts.

Here’s how it works:

1. Going Inside: First, the doctor uses a tiny camera called a cystoscope. It’s like a mini submarine that goes into the pee tube (urethra) to see inside the bladder and find the big prostate.

2. Trimming Time: Once the doctor sees the big prostate, they use another tool attached to the cystoscope to trim away the extra part. It’s like giving a haircut to the prostate!

3. Cleaning Up: After trimming, the doctor cleans up all the extra bits and pieces, so everything works smoothly again.

4. Helping Out: While the prostate is healing, the doctor might put a small tube called a catheter to help pee come out easily. It’s like a temporary helper until everything gets back to normal.

That’s it! TURP helps make going to the bathroom easier for men who have a big prostate causing trouble. It’s like a superhero doctor fixing a problem inside without making any big cuts on the outside.

Remember, if someone talks about TURP, they’re just talking about a special way to fix the big prostate problem and make life better!

Understanding Different Prostate Surgery Options:

1. Open Prostatectomy:

• Overview: This traditional surgical approach involves making an incision in the abdomen or perineum to access the prostate gland. It is typically reserved for cases of very large prostates.
• Procedure: The surgeon removes prostate tissue through the incision and then closes it.
• Recovery: Longer hospital stay and recovery time compared to minimally invasive procedures.
• Risks and Complications: Infection, bleeding, erectile dysfunction, and urinary incontinence.

2. TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate):

• Minimally Invasive Approach: TURP is performed through the urethra using a resectoscope.
• Indications: Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causing urinary symptoms.
• Procedure Steps:

• Anesthesia administration (general or spinal).
• Insertion of a cystoscope with a camera to visualize the prostate.
• Resection of excess prostate tissue using a wire loop.
• Removal of tissue fragments.
• Temporary catheter insertion for urine drainage during healing.

• Recovery: Short hospital stay and gradual return to normal activities.
• Risks and Complications: Bleeding, infection, urinary retention, and retrograde ejaculation.

3. Laser Prostate Surgery:

• Minimally Invasive Alternative: Laser energy is used to remove prostate tissue.
• Types of Laser Surgery:

• GreenLight laser therapy.
• Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).
• Thulium laser prostatectomy.

• Procedure Steps: Similar to TURP but with laser energy.
• Comparison with TURP: Potentially shorter catheterization and recovery times.
• Specific Risks: Bladder irritation related to laser use.

Navigating Health Insurance Coverage in India:

• Variability: Health insurance coverage varies based on policy type and insurer.
• TURP Coverage:

• Most health insurance plans cover TURP.
• Factors affecting eligibility: Pre-existing conditions, policy terms, and documentation.
• Required Documentation:

• Pre-authorization from the insurer.
• Medical records and diagnostic reports.
• Detailed billing statement from the healthcare provider.

Average Cost Comparison (Approximate):

Procedure	Average Cost (INR)	Source
Open Prostatectomy	1,00,000 – 2,00,000	Hospital websites
TURP	50,000 – 1,50,000	Healthcare articles
Laser Prostate Surgery	80,000 – 2,00,000	Medical journals

Conclusion: Understanding the available prostate surgery options empowers men facing urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate. While TURP remains a gold standard, laser techniques offer promising alternatives.

Consider insurance coverage and costs carefully, and collaborate with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about prostate health and treatment.