Turp operation or laser ?or leave alone?

Studies are in fact posted on the NIH (National Institute of Health) website. Nearly all the different bph laser and surgical procedures post better than a 90% success rate (based on the need for a follow up procedure indicating a failure of the first procedure). Of course  a half million bph procedures results in tens of thousands of failures.

Also every urologist will say (and may in fact believe) that whatever procedures he uses are the best. I can't imagine any urologist statint that there are better procedures out there, but he hasn't bothered to learn them.

Any urologist is going to tell you only what he knows As a patient I would ask how many has he done and what were the out comes of them  If I'm putting my life in his hands I would like to know but it is also the patient that said yes or no.  Look up anything that is being done on you because you are the one that is going to deal with the  out come of all of them.  I know the USA is diffrent then the UK but we need all the information we can get.  All procedure are diffrent but it seam like the turp is the one that is used the most and some of the side effect are the worst..Ken    

Most urologists only know about 3 procedures. Why not ask what he would do if he had the same medical problem that you have? Chances are you will not get a straight answer.

If you are form Europe I would ask the doctor for a miminal inasive procedure and if it's not working then go for something else...:-)

Hi Casper,

I believe these stents are mostly used for chronic urethral strictures. They have a migration rate of about 30%. I don't think they are used for bph much.

Bob

Hi no Memokath are used for many indications. There is a prostatic stent as well and actually if you look at the pubmed database you will see that many migrations is due to the doctors are not using the right length. Furthermore some of the ureter stents migrate because the strictures are resolved. But for the BPH it's a very safe procedure. More than 2000 are inserted per year in Japan - and the success rate is very high and again no severe side effects.

Hello.  I just read about the memokath stents.  They can be used to open up any part of the urethra.  It can open up the flow of urine and is much better they some of the other procedures.  I have a stricture just before the sphincter muscles and a enlarged prostate.  I picked a urolift to open the prostate They put 4 implants in works great.  We all have to pic what is best for us to live the best live we can.  I am happy that men are now looking up more that just taking the word of there doctor.  Take care  Ken

Agree the doctors need to be challenged by the doctors. Good more safe alternatives are out there. One question were you under full anesthesia?

Yes I was.  It was done in his surgery center.  went home a hour after it was done.  It's 6 weeks and doing great  Ken

Sounds great the only difference between the two procedures is that memokath is local anesthesia. But again if TURP doctors could have a different perception then a lot of men would have a much higher QOL. So it seems that more and more minimal invasive procedures are coming which is really good for patients.

Hi Casper and Kenneth,

It's good to know other options are available. It's the first I heard of the Memokath prostatic stent. I know previous types of stents were not successful for bph because they adhered to the urethra and became encrusted and needed to be removed surgically. I read that these Memokath stents do not adhere to the urethra. I also read that the mean duration of the stents was 13 months, so it sounds like they may need to be replaced every year or two.

Bob

I don't know if it was a local or general all I know is I was out and didn't feel a thing  I have a colenoscopy and the one they go down the throat 2 weeks before and was only out 45 minutes.  I think it was the same  The urolift I was out I think 1 hour It does not take long and he put in a catheter so I felt nothing.  I did read that the stents can be put in with lidocaine gel if it in the urethra but if you have to go pass the bladder I think you have to be put out.  I am just happy that men are taking the time now to look up things for themselves.  The doctors that do the procedures don't know all the happens everyone one is diffrent.  But we need to learn what are the outcome of anything that we have done.  I was on many meds and the side effect of them I did not like.  I am 59 years old and my kids are grown.  This is the time we need to enjoy all that life can give.  Take care  Ken 

Hello Bob  Today was the first time I heard of it too.  My urologist told me about the other ones  and said that thay were not that good because there harder to take out.  I think I read today that a man had one for 2 years but had to have it removed because he had stones.  I'm going to read up on it more to see whats going on just in cass.  My stricture is right before the sphincter muscle.  It good right now but who know..  Take care  Ken

Totally agree we have to enjoy life and as long it is not life threatning diseases then all doctors should avoid surgeries if there are strong alternatives. Just for the record Memokath is gel for the prostate and it takes 10 max 15 min and then home. But again all procedures where surgeries are not involved are great.

Yes no tissue in growth and easy to remove by using cold water. I have also heard some with a longer period than 10 years. But the most important things about urolift or memokath are that both are minimal invasive with more or less no side effects.