Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
When the patient awakens in the recovery room after the procedure, he already has a catheter in his penis, and is receiving pain medication via the IV line inserted prior to surgery.
The initial recovery period lasts approximately one...
week, and includes some pain and discomfort from the urinary catheter. Spastic convulsions of the bladder and prostate are expected as they respond to the surgical changes. The following medications are commonly prescribed after TURP:
- B&O suppository (Belladonna and Opium). This medication has the dual purpose of providing pain relief and reducing the ureteral and bladder spasms that follow TURP surgery. It is a strong medication that must be used only as prescribed.
- Bulk-forming laxative. Because of the surgical trauma and large quantities of liquids that patients are required to drink, they may need some form of laxative to promote normal bowel movements.
- Detrol. This pain reliever is not as strong as B&O. There may be wide variations in its effectiveness and the patient's response. It also controls involuntary bladder contractions.
- Macrobid. This antibiotic helps prevent urinary tract infections.
- Pyridium. This medication offers symptomatic relief from pain, burning, urgency, frequency, and other urinary tract discomfort.
When discharged from the hospital, patients are advised to:
- Refrain from alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid sexual activities for a few weeks.
- Avoid driving a car for a week or more.
- Keep domestic activities to a minimum.
- Avoid weight lifting or strenuous exercise.
- Check their temperature and report any fever to the physician.
- Practice good hygiene, especially of the hands and penis.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
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A Transurethral Resection of the Prostate or TURP is a procedure to expand the dimensions of the urethra or urine outflow tract. This video shows what a urologist sees during a TURP. Note that this video shows surgery on an living human.
An enlarged prostate can cause urinary problems due to its location around the male urethra (A). In TURP, the physician uses a cystoscope to gain access to the prostate through the urethra (B). The prostate material that has been restricting urine flow is cut off in pieces, which are washed into the bladder with water from the scope (B). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
Other Information
Transurethral resection of the prostate (also known as TURP, plural TURPs and as a transurethral prostatic resection TUPR) is a urological operation. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As the name indicates, it is performed by visualising the prostate through the urethra and removing tissue by electrocautery or sharp dissection. This is considered the most effective treatment for BPH. This procedure is done with spinal or general anesthetic. A large triple lumen catheter is inserted through the urethra to irrigate and drain the bladder after the surgical procedure is complete. Outcome is considered excellent for 80-90% of BPH patients. Because of bleeding risks associated with the surgery, TURP is not considered safe for many patients with cardiac problems. As with all invasive procedures, the patient should first discuss medications they are taking with their doctor, most especially blood thinners or anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), or aspirin. These may need to be discontinued prior to surgery. Postop complications include bleeding (most common), clotting and hyponatremia (due to bladder irrigation).
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transurethral_resection_of_the_prostate
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