Prostatic Urethral Lift

ABOUT PROSTATIC URETHRAL LIFT

What is a prostatic urethral lift?

Prostatic urethral lift is a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostate enlargement.

It involves placing implants into your prostate using the UroLift device.  These implants retract the prostatic tissue to open the urethra (waterpipe) and improve your urinary flow.

Why is a prostatic urethral lift required?

A prostatic urethral lift is used to expand the diameter of the urethra to improve the flow of urine.

It is an option to treat your urinary symptoms if they are due to enlargement of the prostate.

A prostatic urethral lift is a good option for you if:

  • You are bothered by your urinary symptoms, and
  • You do not want to take or are unable to take medications for prostate enlargement, and
  • You do not want to have a more invasive procedure such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or Greenlight laser prostatectomy, and
  • Your prostate is less than 80 grams, and your do not have significant ‘middle lobe’ enlargement. (A normal sized prostate is less than 25 grams), and
  • You do not have an allergy to nickel, titanium or steel.

 

Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland that commonly occurs in men as they age. The prostate surrounds the urethra, so when it enlarges, it can press against the urethra and block urine flow.
PATIENT JOURNEY

How does prostatic urethral lift compare to other treatments for prostate enlargement?

Prostatic urethral lift is an alternative to long-term medications or more invasive surgery for management of your urinary symptoms.

If you are already taking medications for urinary symptoms, it is likely you will be able to stop the medications after the procedure.

Some medications and prostate surgeries can cause retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation results in a reduced volume of semen during orgasm (dry orgasm). The risk of retrograde ejaculation after prostatic urethral lift is very low.

How does prostatic urethral lift compare to other treatments for prostate enlargement?

Some medications and prostate surgeries can cause erectile dysfunction. The risk of erectile dysfunction after a prostatic urethral lift is very low.

The improvement in your urinary symptoms after prostatic urethral lift may not be as marked as the improvement seen with other prostate surgeries such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or Greenlight laser prostatectomy.

What does a prostatic urethral lift procedure involve?

Prostatic urethral lift is performed in hospital as a day surgery under a general anaesthetic (completely asleep).

We pass a telescope through the urethra to the prostate.

We insert the permanent implants into the prostate using the Urolift® delivery device. Typically, we place 2 to 6 implants, depending on the size of your prostate.

 

 

What does a prostatic urethral lift procedure involve?

These implants remain within the prostate and the delivery device is removed.

The implants retract your prostate tissue to relieve the obstruction of your urethra. There is no cutting, heating, or removal of the prostatic tissue.

A catheter isn’t usually required at the end of the procedure.

What is the recovery after a prostatic urethral lift procedure?

You should notice your urinary symptoms gradually improving as soon as 2 weeks after the procedure.

You may notice blood in your urine and burning/stinging when passing urine for a few days after the procedure.

Depending on your job, you can return to work around three days after the procedure.

You will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours after the procedure.

What is the recovery after a prostatic urethral lift procedure?

You may notice blood in your urine, semen, and your bowel motions. Blood in your urine and bowel motions will usually clear within a few days. Blood in your semen may take a few months to clear.

You can return to sedentary work the day after your biopsy. If your job involves physical work, you may wish to return to light work for a few days.

It is usually safe to drive 24 hours after the anaesthetic.

You can return to sexual activity immediately after the biopsy

OUR TEAM

The following doctors in our practice perform prostatic urethral lift implants:

Dr Glen Wood

Dr Glen Wood

Urologist

Book an appointment

Book an appointment to discuss this procedure with one of our doctors.