Prostatectomy Overview

Description

An enlarged prostate can cause problems urinating and urinary tract infections. These symptoms can often be relieved by removing all or part of the prostate gland. Prostate removal can be performed in a number of different ways, depending on the size of the prostate and the cause of the prostate enlargement.

The three most common procedures for removing the prostate when there is no cancer are:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Laser prostatectomy
• Open prostatectomy

The decision regarding the type of prostatectomy to perform depends on the size of your prostate gland. For glands bigger than 30 grams and less than 80 grams (this number depends on the experience of the surgeon), TURP is performed. If the prostate is bigger than 90 grams, open prostatectomy is recommended.