In this surgical procedure, the urologist passes a thin, lighted tube through the urethra, the canal that carries urine from the bladder, into the center of the prostate gland and removes the tissue that is blocking the urethra. It is performed under regional or general anesthesia. In this procedure, the urologist makes one or two incisions in the bundle of smooth muscles where the prostate gland meets the bladder. Making the incisions splits the gland and reduces its size, which reduces pressure on the urethra. This can relieve the urinary symptoms caused by the enlarged gland pressing on the urethra.
Medication is an alternative to surgery for some men.
A laser treatment, called interstitial laser coagulation, delivers thermal energy via a unique fiberoptic tip through the urine tube to the interior of the prostate, targeting the unwanted tissue. The laser fiber is then entered into the prostate in order to relieve obstruction of the prostate gland. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis with topical anesthesia. Patients are able to return home after treatment but require a catheter for about one week. Patients may experience a frequent or urgent need to urinate immediately following the treatment, which may require the use of a catheter during the recovery period.