What is transurethral resection of the prostate (turp)?

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is surgery to remove some prostate tissue. It is done when an overgrown prostate gland is pressing on the urethra and making it hard for a man to urinate.

The prostate gland is a small organ just below a man's bladder. It makes most of the fluid in semen. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body through the penis. It passes through the prostate. When the prostate gets too large, it can press on the urethra.

TURP is done to take pressure off of the urethra. It can help you have better control over starting and stopping your urine stream. You may feel like you get more relief when you urinate.

Your doctor will give you medicine to make you sleep or feel relaxed. You will be kept comfortable. If you are awake during the surgery, you will get medicine to numb you from the chest down.

The doctor will put a thin, lighted tube, which is called a scope, into your urethra through the opening in your penis. Then the doctor will put small surgical tools or a tiny laser through the scope. He or she will then cut or burn away the section of the prostate that is blocking urine flow. When the surgery is finished, the doctor will take out the scope.