Treatments for prostate enlargement
Prostate enlargement is one of the most common conditions among men. Almost 40% men above the age of 50 years have BPH, while nearly 90% men above the age of 85 have an enlarged prostate gland. For patients with mild prostatomegaly (prostate enlargement) and symptoms, conservative management is possible with medicine and lifestyle modification. However, surgery is necessary for patients with severe prostate symptoms.
The two most common and effective surgical treatments for BPH are:
- TURP Surgery: TURP is a minimally invasive procedure in which the urologist uses a resectoscope to cut out the excess part of the prostate gland. A resectoscope is a thin tube-like surgical instrument with an attached light, camera, and electric tool. The prostate doctor uses the light and camera to view the internal structures and the electric tool to cut, remove, and destroy the prostate tissue. Afterward, the surgeon also uses the tool to cauterize the wound to limit bleeding.
- HoLEP Surgery: HoLEP surgery is a non-invasive treatment for BPH that does not involve any cuts, stitches, or bleeding. The surgeon uses a modified resectoscope that has attached laser equipment instead of an electric tool. The prostate surgeon uses a high-powered laser beam to cut and destroy the extra prostate tissue. Since the surgery is performed via a laser, there is no bleeding.
FAQs
What is the average cost range for BPH surgery?
The most common and effective treatments for BPH are TURP surgery and HoLEP surgery. The cost of these BPH surgeries ranges around:
- TURP: INR 60,000 to INR 1,00,000
- HoLEP: INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,50,000
This is the average cost of the entire treatment package for BPH, including the cost of hospitalization, medicines, etc.
What are the symptoms of prostate enlargement?
Common signs of prostate enlargement include:
- Dysuria, i.e., difficulty in urinating
- Difficulty in starting and maintaining a urine stream
- Nocturia, frequent need to urinate at night
- Inability to completely empty the bladder
Is surgery necessary for all BPH patients?
Yes. While men with mild BPH symptoms can try to manage the condition with medicine or lifestyle modification, ultimately, surgical treatment is necessary. BPH medicines are usually only effective for mild cases and are attached to side effects such as erectile dysfunction, headaches, dizziness, etc. The only long-term successful way of treating BPH is surgery.
Which factors affect the cost of BPH surgery?
The cost of BPH surgery is affected by various factors such as:
- Choice of hospital
- Doctor’s fee
- Severity of the condition
- Technology used
- Medications required
- Hospitalization fees
- Post-operative complications
- Insurance coverage, etc.
Is BPH treatment covered under health insurance?
Most insurance policies, either partially or fully, cover BPH treatment. However, the extent of the coverage depends on the terms of the policy.
What are the risks associated with BPH surgery?
Although BPH surgery is minimally invasive and, hence, very safe. In rare cases, certain complications that may be associated with BPH surgery are:
- Hemorrhage
- Erectile dysfunction
- Retrograde ejaculation
- Urethral stricture
- Post-TURP syndrome
How long does it take to recover from BPH surgery?
After BPH surgery, both through TURP and HoLEP, the patient is hospitalized for 1-2 days. The patient can start light activity immediately after discharge. Complete recovery may take about 4-6 weeks, less if you have laser surgery.
How to promote recovery after BPH surgery?
You can promote your recovery after BPH surgery by following a few simple tips:
- Start doing gentle, low-impact exercises as soon as possible after the surgery.
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day.
- If you have any constipation, take medicines to manage it.
- Eat a fiber-rich diet.
- Wait at least 4-6 weeks before having sex. Get your surgeon’s consent if you want to have intercourse sooner.
- Ask your doctor for approval if you want to travel for long distances before recovering completely.
Conclusion
BPH surgery can sound very scary, and hence, it is important that we educate ourselves properly about prostate problems and treatments and prepare accordingly. Although BPH surgery is a major surgery, it is a minimally invasive procedure and hence, is very safe. In addition, both TURP and HoLEP have a short recovery time and are highly effective in reducing urinary symptoms.
Although many people might be a little apprehensive about the cost of the surgery and how expensive it is, we assure you that in the long term, getting the surgery is way more cost-effective and beneficial to the lifestyle. Some people are also under the misconception that BPH treatment is not covered under insurance, and that they have to pay for the surgery themselves. However, that is far from the truth. Most insurance policies cover the cost of BPH surgery to some extent.
Instead of just managing the symptoms, treat them. Book an appointment for a free consultation with the best urologists near you immediately.
