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After Effects of TURP

Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a medical condition in males where the prostate blocks urine flow. One type of surgery to alleviate the condition is transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. The operation normally takes place in a hospital and requires an overnight stay of one or two days. Following the surgery the patient will experience numerous after effects.

  1. Catheter

    • One after effect of the TURP surgery for BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is the use of a catheter. This medical device assists in the passing of urine and is necessary for the removal of blood and blood clots in the bladder following surgery. Urine flows through the catheter and into a collection bag. According to WebMD, the catheter must remain in place until the urine is free of significant bleeding and blood clots. Once that occurs the catheter can be removed.

    Work Limitations

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, a patient can normally return to office type work about two weeks following surgery. For manual labor occupations, the work restrictions tend to last four to six weeks. Each person is different so the time frame will be determined by your physician based upon the amount of time the catheter is needed, your general physical condition prior to the surgery, your age and your specific occupation.

    Urination

    • Following surgery, painful urination, or a sense of urgency, may occur as urine impacts the surgical area. This normally disappears in a few weeks after surgery. Incontinence, or the lack of ability to control urine flow, can be an after effect. According to WebMD, about 1 percent of men following surgery say they are completely unable to control urine flow. Many more men report varying degrees of incontinence, such as leakage. The normal result following surgery is increased urine flow. Once the surgical area heals, the smaller prostate allows for a noticeable change.

    Results

    • Sexual function is impacted following surgery for up to six weeks while the body heals. The patient should then be able to have sexual relations. Sexual problems are reported in 3 to 35 percent of cases, as reported on WebMD, while the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that full sexual function may take up to one year. Ejaculation into the bladder, or retrograde ejaculation, is common, occurring in 25 to 99 percent of cases, as reported by WebMD. It has no effect on sexual function.

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