Mr. Li, a 70-year-old retired teacher, has noticed frequent waking up at night to urinate in recent years, initially thinking it was just a minor problem in the elderly, but over time, this symptom has gradually worsened, seriously affecting his sleep and daily life. A serendipitous physical exam reveals the truth: prostatic hyperplasia. This is not only Mr. Lee's problem, it is estimated that more than half of men will experience some degree of prostatic hyperplasia in their lifetime. The disease is not fatal, but it is enough to reduce quality of life and make simple daily activities difficult.
Limitations of traditional treatments: Why conventional approaches are not silver bullets
Traditionally, the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia has relied mainly on medication and traditional surgical methods. Medications, including α-receptor antagonists and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, can relieve symptoms but must be taken long-term and can bring a range of side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, low blood pressure and vertigo, that are difficult for many patients to accept.
Traditional surgical treatments such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are effective compared to medical treatments, but they carry higher risks, including bleeding, infection, and even possible urinary incontinence and sexual function problems. In addition, the long recovery period for surgery requires a long hospital stay, which is a significant burden for many elderly patients.
The limitations of these traditional treatments have sparked the search for safer and more effective treatments. This has led to the emergence of minimally invasive surgical techniques that promise fewer side effects, faster recovery, and improved outcomes. These new technologies, including transurethral laser vaporization of the prostate and modified transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), not only reduce the risk of surgery, but also greatly shorten the recovery time, allowing patients to return to normal life more quickly.
Overall, while traditional treatments have helped countless patients with prostatic hyperplasia over the past few decades, their shortcomings are becoming increasingly apparent. The development of minimally invasive surgery technology is not only a reflection of technological progress, but also the result of a deep understanding and response to the needs of patients. For those looking for fewer complications and a faster recovery, these new technologies undoubtedly offer a new kind of hope.
Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques: A Revolutionary Way to Prostate Treatment
With the continuous advancement of medical technology, the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia is also constantly evolving. Minimally invasive surgery, as one of the best among them, has attracted a lot of attention for its small trauma and fast recovery time. This section will detail the types of minimally invasive surgery techniques and how they work.
Minimally invasive surgeries mainly include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), laser surgery, and holmium laser resection of the transurethral prostate (HoLEP). What these techniques have in common is that the surgical purpose is achieved through a small external incision or no incision at all, which greatly reduces the burden on the patient's body.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): An electrical resectoscope is inserted through the urethra to remove the hyperplasia of the prostate tissue using an electric ring. The advantage of this method is that it can immediately remove the blocked tissue and restore urine flow.
Laser surgery: A specific wavelength laser is used to pass through the urethra directly to the prostate tissue to accurately vaporize or remove the hyperplasia. Depending on the type of laser used, laser surgery can be divided into green laser, holmium laser, etc.
Holmium laser excision (HoLEP): This is a newer technique that uses a holmium laser to simultaneously cut and vaporize prostate tissue, which has the advantage of less bleeding and is suitable for prostates of all sizes.
Significant results and advantages of minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery is not only a technological innovation, but also a revolution in the patient experience. The following is a detailed comparative analysis of the effects and advantages of minimally invasive surgery compared to traditional surgery.
Remarkable surgical results
Minimally invasive surgery has high precision, minimal damage to surrounding tissues, and a fast recovery for patients after surgery, reducing the inconvenience and economic burden caused by long-term rehabilitation. Several studies have shown that after minimally invasive transurethral surgery, most patients have a significant improvement in voiding function in a short period of time, increased urine flow, and the problem of urinary retention is resolved.
The advantages are obvious
Less trauma and faster recovery: Patients are usually discharged from the hospital one to two days after surgery due to the small incision and quick recovery of the surgical wound, which reduces the risk of infection.
Fewer complications: Minimally invasive surgery reduces the risk of bleeding and long-term urethral damage compared to traditional surgery.
Wide applicability: Regardless of the size of the prostate, laser surgery and HoLEP can be used effectively, especially for elderly patients who cannot afford traditional surgery for health reasons.
The implementation of these minimally invasive techniques not only improves surgical outcomes but also improves the quality of life of patients. Nonetheless, the choice of the appropriate surgical approach still needs to take into account the patient's specific situation and the doctor's professional advice. When making surgical decisions, patients should communicate with their care team to understand all possible treatment options so that they can make the choice that best suits their conditions.