Understanding Your Prostate Surgery Options and the Benefits of PAE

Prostate surgery is a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition experienced by millions of men each year. BPH is characterized by an enlarged prostate that applies pressure to the urethra. Depending on the severity of the condition, this can result in unpleasant symptoms, such as difficulty initiating urination and frequent urination, or potentially serious complications, such as urinary tract infections and kidney damage.

For most men diagnosed with BPH, prostate surgery is considered only after other non-surgical efforts have failed to provide relief. There are several surgical options available, with the most common being transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This procedure involves inserting a scope into the urethra and removing sections of the prostate. While TURP is typically effective at relieving BPH symptoms, there are some risks associated with the procedure, including the possibility for erectile dysfunction, bleeding, urinary tract infection, and retrograde ejaculation.

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is an alternative surgical option that has been shown to be effective at relieving BPH symptoms. It is a procedure best suited for men who have a significantly enlarged prostate or a prostate size that is considered higher risk for traditional TURP. PAE involves threading a catheter through an artery in the wrist to deposit small beads that obstruct blood flow to the prostate, causing it to shrink. It is less invasive than TURP and is an outpatient procedure, requiring less than six hours in the hospital. Most importantly, PAE significantly reduces the risk of side effects associated with TURP in patients with massively enlarged prostates.

Tampa General Hospital is a national leader in helping patients with BPH improve the quality of their lives through minimally invasive prostate surgery, and is committed to providing patient-centered care and utilizing the latest advances in treatment.  If you are experiencing moderate or severe symptoms due to BPH, you can begin the evaluation process of determining your candidacy for PAE at Tampa General Hospital by contacting our PAE program coordinator at (813) 539-5995 or submitting our online form.