Dr. Gordon O’Neill, Urologist, Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgeon, Darlinghurst, North Sydney, NSW ›› Patient Info ›› Genito Urinary System ›› Prostate ›› Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)

Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)

What is TUIP?

The prostate gland is an organ surrounding the neck of the urinary bladder in men. The prostate gland grows bigger with age, but if it grows too big, it can exert pressure on the urethra (tube that drains urine), and may obstruct the flow of urine. This condition is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH may cause severe urinary problems such as difficulty in emptying the bladder and frequent urinary infections.

Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a laser beam or electric current to make small incisions in the bladder neck (the region where the bladder and the prostate connect). The incisions open up the urinary channel and improve the flow of urine. It is performed as an alternative to the standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) technique in men with high risk for surgical complications such as retrograde ejaculation (semen does not ejaculate out of the penis, but instead flows into the bladder).

How is the procedure performed?

TUIP is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. No external incisions are required. Your surgeon inserts a resectoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera attached) into your penis and extends it through the urethra up to the urinary bladder. A sterile fluid may be passed through the resectoscope to fill and stretch the bladder. This helps your surgeon to view the operation site clearly.

Your surgeon then makes a small cut on the inner surface of the prostate gland, in the bladder neck region to relieve the pressure on the urethra. A catheter (special tube) may be inserted to help drain the bladder and remove any blood clots that could form. The catheter may be left in place for 2 to 3 days. You may be discharged from the hospital on the same day of surgery or may have to stay overnight. You may be advised to drink a lot of water and avoid strenuous activities for 4 to 6 weeks.

What risks or complications are associated with the procedure?

As all surgical procedures, TUIP may be associated with certain complications, which include:

Infection
Bleeding
Erection problems
Retrograde ejaculation
Urinary incontinence (trouble controlling urine)