What is transurethral resection of the prostate?
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the surgical excision of obstructing prostate tissue, accomplished with the use of a resectoscope inserted through the urethra to the site of the obstructing prostate tissue. The resectoscope is fitted with fiber-optic capabilities, a channel for circulating irrigating fluids and an electrical loop that cuts tissue. Essentially, with the resectoscope the surgeon can shave off sections of the obstructing prostate tissue from within the urethra and flush them out with the irrigating fluid. Following the procedure, 88 percent of patients experience symptom relief and a strong urine flow within several days. TURP carries with it a small risk of causing impotence (widely debated, but one to three percent) or urinary incontinence (less than one percent). When they occur, these are usually temporary, generally resolving in a matter of weeks or months, although complete recovery can take as long as a year. For incontinence, pelvic floor muscle
