Urology service
UroliftPatient Information leaflet
This leaflet is designed to answer any questions you may have about the Prostatic Urethral Lift (Urolift) procedure to treat your enlarged prostate.
This leaflet explains why this treatment may be suitable for you, the risks, side effects, benefits and what you can expect if you decide to have this treatment. If you have any questions that are not answered in this leaflet, please ask your Consultant Urologist for professional advice (0208 394 6041)
Is Urolift for me?
Urolift is a surgical procedure to treat Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). As men get older the prostate can increase in size, this is known as BPH. BPH can cause symptoms such as:
•Difficulty passing urine,
•Not being able to empty your bladder completely
•You may need to go to the toilet more often
•Having a weak urine flow
•Difficulty getting started
•Getting up at night to pass urine
•Urinary urgency
Because the prostate presses on your urethra (water pipe), the bladder may have to use a lot of force to empty urine. In the long term, this can damage your bladder and kidneys.
Individual assessment for urethral lift is required before your procedure. This will include: urineflow rate, prostate size and shape, and checking for prostate cancer. Please inform your consultant of any special needs that you have that may need to be accommodated. You will be asked to sign a consent form before your procedure.
What is Urolift?
The operation can be performed under local or general anaesthetic depending on what is best for you and takes around 30 minutes. Typically, you will go home on the same day as the surgery usually within a matter of hours.
During the operation a telescope is passed through your urethra. The surgeon willinsert a small implant between the inner and outer surfaces of the prostate, rather like a treasury tag, as seen in the picture below.
This implant moves the tissue blocking your bladder without the need for any cutting. The number of implants depends on the size and shape of your prostate,and usually between 2 and 4 implants need to be inserted. After the implants have been placed, most patients will be able to pass urine without the need for a catheter.
You can safely undertake normal daily activities, when you feel able, after the operation.You must avoid heavy lifting, straining, long journeys and sexual activity in the first month. You drink 1.5 - 2 litres of water steadily throughout the day, and avoid drinking a lot of tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol as these may irritate your bladder. You should pass urine when you feel the need to do so.
Benefits
In most cases, your symptoms should improve immediately, and there is very little risk to erectile or ejaculatory junction.
The procedure is suitable for men who are not able to benefit from medications, and who want to avoid the risks ofinvasive surgery.
Risks
•Sensitivity when passing urine,need to often and urgently pass urine, bleeding and pelvic discomfort or pain, can be experienced in the first few weeks after surgery, typically settling within a month. Urinary leakage or infection can occur but are relatively uncommon.
Later, there is a very small risk that the implant may need to be removed. The implant can be removed easily if necessary by a procedure similar to that used for its placement.
•Difficulty passing urine. Most patients will pass urine with immediate improvement in the flow and emptying of your bladder. In the occasional case where there may be difficulty passing urine, or in situations where the surgeon feels it necessary, a catheter may be required, for instance if there were bleeding from the prostate.
•If your bladder is weak as a long term result of your enlarged prostate gland, and you are used to using a catheter, you may still need to use a catheter on a long term basis.
•Urinary tract infection. This can cause symptoms such as pain or burning when passing urine, but can be treated with antibiotics. This happens to about 5% of patients.
•Prostate enlargement and formation of scar tissue. Your prostate continues to enlarge even after surgery and in the future. Occasionally another procedure may become necessary if your symptoms return. Surgery does not protect against or diagnose prostate cancer.
After the procedure
You will be given a copy of your discharge summary and a copy will also be sent to your GP. You will not be able to drive and will need someone to accompany you home.You may need someone to care for you at home for a few days.
For three to five days after your procedure, you may have some blood in your urine and it may sting when you pass urine. This is normal and should clear after a few days.
Sensitivity in the penis due to the operation can last few weeks, and usually settles after healing is complete.Most men will get some pelvic discomfort for a few dayswhich can be relieved by simple painkillers such as paracetamol.
It is common to have less control passing urine for a short time after surgery. If you experience this, please tell your Urology nurse, who will explain how to perform pelvic floor exercises to improve your control. You can contact the Urodynamics department 0208 394 604.
After you have had prostate surgery, contact your GP (general practitioner) if you have:
• Pain or bleeding or symptoms of urinary infection or feeling generally unwell. If severe, please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
• If you have heavy bleeding, with a lot of fresh blood or blood clots, or if your abdomen (belly) is swollen and painful, or you feel very unwell please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.
• Symptoms of infection. If you develop a fever, smelly urine and/or pain when you pass urine you may have a urine infection. Drink plenty of fluids (at least 8 to 10 glasses per day) and contact your GP who may wish to test a specimen of urine and may prescribe you some antibiotics if your symptoms do not improve.
You will be seen in clinic by a nurse 12 weeks after your surgery.
Contact details
Urology department: 020 8934 6041 Press option 4, then option 1.
For more information please visit the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) website.
Date of Issue: February 2018
Date of Review: February 2019
Ref: Urolift Patient Information (Urology001v1)