PAE is an Outpatient Prostate Surgery Performed at TGH

Men experiencing symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) who would prefer outpatient prostate surgery instead of a traditional treatment should know about a breakthrough procedure called prostate artery embolization, or PAE. This minimally invasive therapy, performed at Tampa General Hospital, offers effective relief from BPH symptoms while reducing the risk of side effects associated with the conventional options that often require days-long hospitalization. 

The most common prostate surgery is transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. To perform TURP, a surgeon inserts a scope through the penis and cuts the central portion of the prostate out. Unlike TURP, which requires general anesthesia, PAE is performed under light sedation and involves only a small incision in the wrist and no tissue removal. A surgeon threads a small catheter through the incision and into arteries in the groin to insert tiny beads in the vessels supplying blood to the prostate. This cuts off blood flow to the organ and causes it to shrink, decreasing the pressure on the urethra that is responsible for urinary symptoms. PAE is an ideal treatment option for men who have a significantly enlarged prostate or a prostate size that is considered higher risk for traditional prostate surgery.

Generally, patients who undergo this outpatient prostate surgery can expect:

• To be in and out of the hospital in less than six hours
• To be able to return to normal activities within days, with the help of pain medication
• Groin soreness that usually goes away in a day or two

If you have been diagnosed with BPH and would like to find out if you are a suitable candidate for outpatient prostate surgery at TGH, contact our PAE program coordinator at (813) 539-5995 or complete our online form.