Benign Prostate Surgery

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that becomes increasingly common with age. As the prostate enlarges, it can narrow the urethra and restrict urine flow, leading to symptoms including a weak stream, difficulty starting urination, frequency, urgency, and incomplete emptying.

BPH does not cause prostate cancer and does not increase cancer risk. But when symptoms are significant or affect quality of life, treatment is often appropriate.

The right treatment depends on the size of the prostate, the severity of symptoms, baseline urinary function, other health conditions, and what the patient is trying to achieve. Surgery is not always the first step — many men are managed with medication — but when surgery is appropriate, there are several options with meaningfully different profiles.

Surgical Options for BPH

TURP — Transurethral Resection of the Prostate

TURP is the established surgical standard for BPH. It involves removing the inner portion of the prostate that is obstructing urine flow, using an instrument passed through the urethra. No external incisions are required.

TURP is highly effective at relieving obstruction and improving urinary flow. It is typically recommended for men with larger prostates, significant obstruction, or where less invasive options have not been effective or are not suitable. Hospital stay is usually two to three days, with a catheter in place for a short period after surgery. Recovery takes several weeks.

UroLift

UroLift is a minimally invasive procedure that lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra using small implants, without cutting, heating or removing any tissue. It is performed under general or light sedation and is often done as a day procedure.

UroLift is suitable for men with moderate BPH who want to avoid the side effect profile of more invasive surgery — particularly the risk of retrograde ejaculation associated with TURP. Symptom improvement can be meaningful, although generally less pronounced than more invasive tissue-removing procedures such as TURP. UroLift is not appropriate for very large prostates or certain anatomical configurations. Symptoms typically improve within a few weeks, though some men require further treatment over time.

Rezum

Rezum uses water vapour (steam) delivered directly into the prostate tissue to destroy the cells causing obstruction. Over the weeks following treatment, the body absorbs the treated tissue and the prostate reduces in size, improving urine flow.

Rezum is a day procedure performed under general or light sedation. A catheter is usually required for a short period after treatment while the prostate settles. It preserves ejaculatory function in most men and is suitable for many prostate configurations, including selected median lobe enlargement. Symptom improvement typically develops over several weeks as the treated tissue is reabsorbed.

iTind

iTind is a temporary implant placed inside the prostate for five to seven days, which gradually reshapes the prostatic urethra without cutting or removing tissue. After removal, no permanent implant remains. It is a day procedure performed under light sedation or general anaesthesia.

iTind is generally considered for carefully selected men with mild to moderate obstruction who are seeking a less invasive approach. For more detail on iTind — including how it works, who it suits, and what recovery involves — see the iTind page.

Choosing the Right Procedure

The central trade-off in BPH surgery is between symptom improvement and side effect burden. More invasive procedures such as TURP generally provide greater and more durable improvement in urinary flow, but carry a higher likelihood of side effects including retrograde ejaculation. Less invasive procedures tend to preserve ejaculatory function and involve quicker recovery, but may provide less dramatic symptom relief or require further treatment over time.

No single procedure is right for every patient. The choice also involves prostate size and anatomy, the severity of symptoms, other health conditions, and individual priorities — including whether preserving ejaculatory function matters and how much recovery time is acceptable.

These decisions are worked through at consultation, with enough time to understand the options and what each would mean specifically for you.

To discuss which BPH treatment option may be appropriate for your situation, contact the rooms to arrange a consultation.

Clinical note: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Treatment decisions should be based on personalised assessment and discussion of options.

Last reviewed: May 2026