TURP surgery in Busan, Seomyeon

TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) is the gold standard surgical BPH treatment performed since the 1930s. A specialized cystoscope (resectoscope) is inserted through the urethra. An electrocautery loop systematically shaves off the obstructing prostate tissue (adenoma) in small pieces while preserving the prostate capsule. Tissue is irrigated out of the bladder. The procedure takes 60-90 minutes under spinal or general anesthesia.

Three reasons: (1) Highest effectiveness — 95%+ symptom relief vs UroLift 70%, Rezum 75%, medication 60-70%. (2) Longest durability — 10+ years vs UroLift/Rezum 5 years. (3) Works on any prostate size up to 100g+. Modern bipolar TURP has reduced complications significantly. The trade-off is 75%+ retrograde ejaculation, which is why minimally invasive options are tried first.

During TURP, the bladder neck is opened wider to remove prostate tissue. After surgery, semen flows backward into the bladder during orgasm instead of forward out of the penis. The orgasm sensation is unchanged. The semen is harmlessly excreted with next urination ("cloudy urine"). Doesn't cause health problems but causes infertility (rarely a concern in TURP age range — typically over 60).

TURP becomes appropriate for: severe BPH symptoms (IPSS 20+) not responding to minimally invasive options, very large prostates (over 80g) where UroLift/Rezum aren't optimal, BPH complications (acute urinary retention, recurrent UTI, bladder stones, kidney impact), failure of UroLift or Rezum. TURP is the LAST resort, not first choice — minimally invasive options always tried first when feasible.

Counterintuitive but true: TURP equipment (resectoscope, electrocautery generator) is standard urology equipment with no per-case device cost. UroLift implants and Rezum needle are expensive disposables. At MediForMen Busan: TURP $3,704 vs UroLift $4,444 vs Rezum $5,185. TURP is invasive but cheaper because no special devices required. In the US, TURP costs $15,000+ due to hospital and anesthesia markups.

2-3 nights at MediForMen-affiliated hospital. Day 1: surgery, IV antibiotics, bladder irrigation. Day 2-3: irrigation continues, catheter remains, walking encouraged. Day 4-5: catheter removed, trial of urination, discharge if successful. Total stay in Busan: 7 days (1 day consultation + 2-3 night hospital + 2-3 day hotel recovery before flight).

Mostly no, but 5-10% experience some erection changes. Pre-existing ED won't improve. New-onset ED in 5-10% (usually mild, usually temporary). Erection mechanism (corpora cavernosa, dorsal nerves) is not in the surgical field, so significant ED is uncommon. PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis) effective if needed.

Less than 2% of patients need repeat TURP within 10 years. Highest durability of any BPH treatment. Compare: UroLift 10-15% retreatment at 5 years, Rezum 10-15% retreatment at 5 years, medication daily forever. After successful TURP, most patients have permanent symptom relief.

TURP requires anesthesia (spinal preferred for cardiac patients, lower risk than general). Pre-op cardiac assessment includes ECG, blood work, anesthesia consultation. Patients with controlled cardiac conditions (post-stent, well-controlled BP) can safely undergo TURP. Coordination with cardiologist for blood thinner management. Severe heart failure or active angina: consider minimally invasive options instead.

Most blood thinners stopped 7-10 days before TURP. Aspirin 81mg sometimes continued depending on cardiac risk. Warfarin/DOACs require coordination with cardiologist. Bridging therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin used for high cardiac risk patients. Restart blood thinners typically 1-2 weeks post-op when bleeding risk is reduced.

Credit card, bank transfer, or crypto accepted. Card descriptor reads "Busan Health Clinic" — not "TURP" or "BPH." Payment: 50% deposit / 50% on admission day. Itemized English receipts for insurance reimbursement (most plans cover TURP — international medical insurance often pays significant portion).

Four reasons: (1) 70-80% lower cost than US ($3,704 vs $15,000+), 50% lower than UK private, (2) our urologist's 4,000+ BPH patient experience and Korean Prostate Society membership, (3) Modern bipolar TURP with low TUR syndrome risk, (4) Combine with 7-day Busan stay during recovery. International patients from US, Europe, Middle East regularly choose Busan for TURP specifically.