UroLift System for treatment of Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

UroLift System is a safe and minimally invasive approach for treatment of enlarged prostate (BPH). It is an alternative for patients wishing to avoid medical therapy or more invasive surgery. The system lifts the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way therefore creating an open prostatic urethra (channel). As a result the bothersome symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH) can be eliminated or reduced significantly.

Doctors Shekib Shahbaz and Tony de Sousa of Melbourne Urology Centre were pioneer urologists in use of this technique in Victoria. They have had direct training and ongoing mentorship from Prof Peter Chin who is one of the founders of this system. They offer a personalized service and can discuss your options including your suitability for this treatment.

• Those experiencing symptoms of prostate enlargement (BPH)
  • Weak stream of urine
  • Incomplete emptying of the bladder
  • Stop and start when urinating
  • Straining to begin urination
  • An increased need to urinate
  • Interrupted sleep because of the need to urinate
  • Infections due to enlarged prostate
• Those who have enlarged prostate symptoms and want to seek a safe, effective and minimally-invasive end to these symptoms
• Those who do not want to use daily medications for treatment of BPH due to side effects
• Those who want to improve their quality of life to what it was before BPH symptoms
• Those who want to maintain sexual function

UroLift System is a revolutionary, safe and minimally invasive approach to treating enlarged prostate (BPH) and its associated bothersome symptoms. It involves:

• Improvement of symptoms almost immediately
• Durable results with more than five years data available
• Minimal risk of sexual dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation
• Quicker recovery with minimal down time after surgery
• Eliminating the need for lifelong use of medications
• Typically no catheter or bladder washout post procedure

The Urolift Treatment system does not involve any cutting but may require a catheter and overnight hospital stay. In the appropriately selected patients it takes around 20 minutes to complete.

The recovery is done at home and in most cases normal activities can be resumed as soon as 3-5 days post procedure.

The most common side effects include temporary pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, urgent need to urinate and/or the inability to control the urge. These symptoms typically subside within the first two weeks following procedure. Improvement in symptoms is expected over subsequent months.

Melbourne Urology Centre offers UroLift System treatment in Melbourne to local and interstate patients. Your case will be thoroughly evaluated including discussion of other appropriate management options. We offer a full range of surgical options for enlarged prostate (BPH), including:

• Rezum
• HOLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate)
• Green light prostate laser surgery
• TURP (transurethral prostate resection)

What to expect:

• Blood in the urine is common for the first few days following your procedure, but in some cases it may take longer to resolve. This may be intermittent.
• Most patients experience some pelvic discomfort which typically lasts a couple of weeks
• Burning and stinging with urination may last for 2-3 weeks following the procedure. This does not usually indicate infection. You may use Ural (available over the counter at pharmacies) to alleviate your symptoms.
• Urination frequency and urgency (urinating often and in a hurry) as well as nocturia (waking at night to urinate) take longer to improve, and in most patients will settle within 3 months. In some circumstances symptoms may persist.

Return to activity:

• Driving – no driving for 24 hours
• Work – you may return to light duties after 24-48 hours
• Lifting – avoid heavy lifting for a week following your procedure
• Activities – walking is fine and encouraged following your procedure, however you should avoid strenuous activity for a week following your procedure
• Sex – avoid for four weeks following the procedure.

Pain Management:

You may take ibuprofen or paracetamol if you are experiencing discomfort. Ural sachets (available over the counter at pharmacies) can help with burning or stinging with urination.

Head to your nearest hospital emergency department if you:

• Have severe pain that cannot be controlled with medication
• Are unable to urinate
• Are unwell with a high fever.

Follow-Up Information:

Our rooms will contact you to arrange a follow-up appointment with your urologist, typically 6-8 weeks after your procedure.

Your follow-up appointment is on: ____________________ at __________________.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed here or in the procedure information available on our website melbourneurologycentre.com.au contact our rooms on 1300 702 811 or [email protected]

Post-Operative information for this procedure can be found here: UroLift System for treatment of Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Post-Operative Care Instructions

Written by Dr. Shekib Shahbaz and Dr. Tony de Sousa

Neotract Inc., (2019), UroLift System,[https://urolift.com.au/urolift-system/], accessed 26/02/21.

Jones, P., Rai, B. P., Aboumarzouk, O., Somani, B. K., (2016), UroLift: A new minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 8(6),[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5117169/], accessed 26/02/21.