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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffTransurethral resection of the prostate is generally a safe procedure. Serious side effects or complications are rare. Possible complications of TURP may include:
- Semen entering your bladder (retrograde ejaculation)
- Erection problems
- Painful urination
- Recurring urinary tract infections
- Bladder neck narrowing (stricture)
- Urethral narrowing (stricture)
- Blood in your urine (hematuria)
- Incontinence
TURP syndrome
Another possible complication from this procedure is TURP syndrome. It occurs when your bloodstream absorbs too much of the liquid (irrigating solution) used during the procedure to flush excess tissue from your prostate into your bladder. Absorbing too much irrigating solution can cause abnormally low concentrations of sodium in your blood. Current surgical techniques make TURP syndrome rare, and it's easily treated. In some cases, the surgeon may use a TURP system that uses saline, rather than the traditional irrigating solution, thereby eliminating the risk of TURP syndrome.
- Burnett AL, et al. Benign prostatic hyperplasia in primary care: What you need to know. Journal of Urology. 2006;175:S19.
- Understanding prostate changes: A health guide for men. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-prostate-changes. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Prostate enlargement: Benign prostatic hyperplasia. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Kim HL, et al. Benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Brunicardi CF, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=818980. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Cunningham GR. Surgical and other invasive therapies of benign prostatic hyperplasia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Prostate cancer treatment: Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/prostate/Patient/page4. March 24, 2009.
- Morgan GE, et al. Anesthesia for genitourinary surgery. In: Morgan GE, et al. Clinical Anesthesiology. 4th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=893115. Accessed March 24, 2009.
