Risks of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery

TURP syndrome can happen to about one in 50 men (1) and mainly affects patients whose operations go on for over an hour. It is easily treated, but it can make you feel confused, dizzy or nauseous.

TURP syndrome is caused by your body absorbing the fluid used to flush out bits of prostate removed during surgery, upsetting the salt balance of your blood. It can be harmful to men who have existing heart or kidney problems.

Other TURP complications include:

  • Retrograde ejaculation (dry orgasm) affects seven out of 10 men (2). Some or all of the prostate fluid goes backwards into the bladder instead of forwards through the urethra. It will not affect enjoyment of sex, but it does mean your fertility could be reduced
  • You could develop a urinary infection, but this can be treated with antibiotics (3)
  • About one in 20 men (2) may also have problems passing urine because of scar formation around the opening of the bladder. This can be treated with another operation
  • Around one in 100 men (2) may need another TURP because their prostate continues to grow
  • While nerves may be damaged during a TURP, there is no strong evidence that TURP causes erectile dysfunction (4)

Infolinks:

Refs:

  1. NHS Warwickshire | TURP Risks | Accessed Sep 2009
  2. Weston Health Area NHS Trust | Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)(pdf) p 10 | Accessed Sep 2009 | Last reviewed Jul 2009 | Next review Jul 2010
  3. Weston Health Area NHS Trust | Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)(pdf) p 9 | Accessed Sep 2009 | Last reviewed Jul 2009 | Next review Jul 2010
  4. Muntener, Aellig & Kuettel et al | Sexual Function after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): results of an Independent Prospective Multicentre Assessment of Outcome | Journal of European Urology (Aug 2007): (52); 2; pp 510 - 516 | DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2007.01.088

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