What is a Transurethral Incision of Prostate (TUIP)?

Transurethral incision of the prostate, or TUIP, is a minimally invasive surgery for urinary symptoms cause by an enlarged prostate. When an enlarged prostate causes trouble with urination, doctors refer to the condition as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

TUIP is one of several options to treat BPH.

Doctors usually perform TUIP to treat younger men. Especially men with smaller prostates who feel concerned about fertility.

Why You Might Receive TUIP

Transurethral incision of the prostate is typically used to treat the urinary symptoms of BPH or obstruction in your urine flow.

TUIP surgery helps with the following symptoms:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Extended urination
• Urination that stops and starts
• Infections of the urinary tract
• More urination at night
• Strong urge to urinate
• Constant urge to urinate
• Bladder feeling full
• Kidney damage
• Bladder injury
• Kidney stones
• Blood in your urine
• Lack of urination control
• Lack of ability to urinate 

Advantages of TUIP

In the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), transurethral incision of the prostate provides benefits and advantages over other non-invasive methods. Two other non-invasive methods are open prostatectomy and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

TUIP advantages:

• Reduced risk of bleeding — TUIP reduces the risk of bleeding for men who take blood thinning medication.
• Shorter hospital stay — TUIP shortens your stay at the hospital. Sometimes, doctors perform TUIP as an outpatient procedure.
• Reduced risk of retrograde ejaculation — TUIP reduces the risk of retrograde ejaculation, which is when semen goes into the bladder during ejaculation instead of exiting the body through the penis.

Potential Risks of TUIP

Your doctor will explain the potential risks associated with transurethral incision of the prostate. However, most of the time, TUIP is safe and causes few unwanted side effects.

Potential TUIP risks include:

• Infection — Any prostate procedure can lead to a urinary tract infection. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to you to help prevent infection.
• Urination issues — If this occurs, it is usually a temporary complication. You may require a catheter until your urination issues subside.
• Re-treatment — If the TUIP does not resolve your symptoms, you may require repeated and/or additional treatment.

How to Prepare for a Transurethral Incision of Prostate

There are several steps you can take to prepare for your TUIP surgery.

Common preparations include:

• Tests — Your doctor may want to run various tests to check your health before your procedure.
• Medications — Your doctor may inquire about any medication you take. Your doctor may also ask you to stop certain medications that might interfere with the TUIP procedure.
• Transportation — You will likely need to organize transportation to and from the hospital for your surgery.
• Overnight Bag — A TUIP surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure. However, sometimes, your doctor may want you to stay overnight in the hospital.
• Restrictions — Your doctor will likely advise you what to eat and drink in the 24 hours leading up to your procedure. You may also want to avoid any strenuous activity for a few weeks after your surgery.

What to Expect During a Transurethral Incision of Prostate

TUIP is often done under local or general anesthesia. Either way, you should expect to feel no pain during the surgery. TUIP is usually completed in about 30 minutes and the entire procedure becomes less uncomfortable as it progresses.

Once the anesthetic has numbed the surgical area or put you to sleep, your doctor will insert a tool called a resectoscope into your penis and make small incisions inside of your prostate. These cuts release pressure on your urethra. Your doctor will then flush the area clean using the resectoscope.

Finally, your doctor will insert and place a temporary catheter to help you urinate while you heal from surgery.

What to Expect After a Transurethral Incision of Prostate

After your surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room for a few hours. Your doctor may release you the same day or ask you to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring.

You can expect:

• Blood in your urine for a few days.
• Urination to feel painful for up to a few weeks.
• Your catheter to remain in place for a few days.
• A return to regular physical and sexual activity after a few weeks.

What you can do at home to help your recovery:

• Avoid strenuous activity.
• Drink lots of water.
• Avoid blood-thinning medication.
• Avoid straining during bowel movements.

Results and Outcomes

TUIP recovery usually takes a few weeks after surgery. You may not notice improvements in your urinary symptoms right away. The results of your TUIP surgery may last for many years. In other cases, some men may need additional treatment. Let your doctor know if you notice any worsening symptoms related to your urinary surgery.