There are many procedures used to treat BPH, and it’s critical that you understand the specifics of each before making your decision. If you’re talking to your urologist about procedures as a treatment option, there are many things to consider, including symptom relief, potential complications, recovery time, level of invasiveness, and more. Generally speaking, BPH procedures often fall into two categories: minimally invasive and traditional surgery.

Minimally Invasive BPH Procedures

The UroLift^® System^5-8 - The UroLift^® System lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue using small implants so it no longer blocks the urethra. The procedure is typically performed using local anesthesia in a physician’s office or ambulatory surgery center. Patients typically return home the same day without a catheter. It is the only leading BPH treatment performed by a urologist that does not require heating, cutting, or destruction of the prostate tissue. That is why recovery is typically rapid and most common side effects are mild to moderate and typically resolve in 2 to 4 weeks. Most patients experience durable symptom relief.

Thermal Therapies

Thermal therapies are a form of minimally invasive procedures that heat prostate tissue to destroy tissue. There are two main thermal therapies that are available:

Rezum™ Water Vapor Therapy^8-10 - Water Vapor Therapy uses steam administered through a small needle inserted into the urethra to heat the prostate and destroy tissue. It can typically be performed in your doctor’s office or outpatient surgery center with local anesthesia. Similar to other thermal therapies, a catheter is typically required for a few days after the procedure, and recovery may take a few weeks. Most patients experience durable symptom relief.

Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT)^1,13 - TUMT utilizes microwave energy to destroy prostate tissue. A small microwave antenna is inserted through the urethra to the prostate. The antenna emits a dose of microwave energy that heats and destroys prostate tissue blocking urine flow. It can also be typically performed in a doctor’s office or outpatient center with local anesthesia. As the procedure also administers heat to the prostate, a catheter is typically required for a few days afterward and recovery may take a few weeks. Many patients experience durable symptom relief; however, quite a few require retreatment.¹

Traditional Surgery

Traditional surgery uses different forms of energy to remove large amounts of tissue during the procedure. They are the most aggressive treatment option, and therefore most effective in reducing symptoms. The most common forms of traditional surgery are:

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)^1,13 - TURP has been around for decades and has been one of the most common surgeries to treat BPH. The procedure involves removing prostate tissue through an electrical loop that is inserted thorough the urethra. This is typically a hospital procedure with general anesthesia, can require an overnight stay and include a few days with a catheter. Most patients experience durable symptom relief.

Laser Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate (PVP)^1,13 - PVP is a form of BPH surgery that vaporizes prostate tissue with a high-powered laser. It typically requires general anesthesia and can be done as an outpatient surgery or sometimes requires a one-day stay in the hospital. The symptom improvement and complication rates are generally similar to TURP, but bleeding risk is lower.

Less commonly performed surgeries include prostatectomy (open surgery), Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) and Aquablation.^1,13 HoLEP uses a laser to remove the prostate, whereas Aquablation uses a high-pressure water jet to remove prostate tissue. Most patients experience durable symptom relief.

Here is a comparison of the different types of BPH procedures, including some of their risks and benefits.

• Typically requires general or regional anesthesia with overnight hospital stay
• Higher risk of serious complications
• Recovery can take weeks to months
• Moderate risk for erectile problems and loss of ejaculation

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