What Is A TURP? | Prostate Surgery

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Home / Benign Prostate Hyperplasia / Surgical Management / Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) / What is a TURP?

A TURP is an operation to treat urinary blockage caused by enlargement of the prostate. The procedure removes the part of the prostate gland that surrounds the urethra and causes obstruction to the urethra as a result of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BHP).

While enlargement of the prostate happens to most men, fewer than 10% will require surgery. The TURP procedure cannot be used to cure prostate cancer because it removes only the parts of the prostate closest to the urethra, while leaving the majority of the gland intact.

At the time of the procedure an instrument known as a resectoscope is inserted into the penis, through the urethra, and through to the prostate. Once positioned correctly in the prostatic portion of the urethra, the resectoscope uses an electrically activated wire loop to cut the nearby prostate tissue away. The procedure does not require an incision through the skin.

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