For the majority of individuals suffering from an enlarged prostate medication is the answer and can reduce enlarged prostate symptoms to a reasonable level. For others however medication is not helpful or is not a viable choice and the doctor could well advise one of a number of minimally invasive surgical procedures.

The first procedure to look at is catheterization which is the insertion of a catheter through the penis and into the bladder as a drain and is usually considered only as a temporary solution. Catheterization is used primarily for men who are waiting for the affects of drug treatment to kick in (several drugs used to treat an enlarged prostate can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months before they show results) or for other surgical procedures. Catheterization may also be of assistance in treating infections.

The next procedure to look at is referred to as Holmium laser enucleation prostate (HoLEP). This procedure, which is performed under anesthetic and requires a short 1 or 2 days in hospital, uses a resectoscope which is inserted through the penis and into the urethra. Once positioned a laser beam is then passed through the resectoscope and is used to remove tissue from the prostate gland.

Interstitial laser coagulation is another treatment which is omparable to HoLEP. This treatment is again performed under anesthetic but patients are not generally required to stay in hospital overnight. In this treatment a cystoscope, which consists of a metal tube through which a laser and visual lens can be passed, is utilized and tissue is burnt away from the enlarged prostate using laser energy.

If a patient cannot accept anesthetic what is known as a prostatic stent may be used. Stenting is the insertion of a spring-like device in the urethra where it passes through the prostate to keep the urethra open. Regrettably there are a number of problems associated with this form of treatment and it is usually used only for individuals who suffer from added medical problems which mean that surgery would present too much of a risk.

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) is another method of minimally invasive surgery which does not need hospitalization or full anesthesia and can be performed under a local anesthetic and with oral pain relief drugs. In this procedure a catheter is passed through the penis and microwaves are used to heat up and shrink sections of the prostate gland.

Another office-based procedure is known as TUNA (transurethral radio frequency needle ablation of the prostate). Here drugs and light anesthesia are used to make the patient drowsy and prostate tissue is heated and shrunk using radio frequency energy transmitted through a number of needles placed directly into the prostate gland. This treatment initially results in a swelling of the prostate gland which is followed by shrinkage and individuals will usually be required to use a catheter for a short time after the treatment.

There are clearly a variety of different forms of minimally invasive surgery available for the treatment of an enlarged prostate gland and individuals must discuss each of these with their doctor to determine which treatment will be best in their specific circumstances.