Does UroLift have more pros or cons? (+5 points)
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Ask Your Pharm
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The AskYourPharm editorial team is made up of pharmacists and clinical nutritionists. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
In this article, we will discuss the common pros and cons of UroLift surgery. We will understand the UroLift procedure and the factors that influence this surgery. Furthermore, we will dig into the conditions that make you eligible to undergo a UroLift procedure.
Does UroLift have more pros or cons?
UroLift may have both pros and cons. The outcomes of the UroLift procedure depend upon the patients and their responses to the surgery or procedure. Not all patients experience a similar amount of pros and cons after undergoing a UroLift procedure.
UroLift has emerged as a new and minimally invasive procedure to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in men. It is a prostatic urethral lift (PUL) method that mechanically opens the prostatic urethra (1).
BPH patients commonly suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms that negatively affect their quality of life. In this procedure, small implants are placed transprostatically that lift and hold the enlarged tissue out of the way relieving the pressure on the urethra (1).
However, it is important to note that UroLift is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for BPH treatment. There may be advantages or disadvantages associated with this procedure which may benefit some patients while harming others.
What does research suggest?
Based on research studies, UroLift is one of the most recent and minimally invasive procedure BPH treatment characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms. BPH is prevalent in 8% in their 40s while 50% of men are affected by BPH in their 50s to 60s (2).
UroLift is a prostatic urethral lift gaining popularity due to its reduced side effects profile. UroLift is a mechanical intervention in which the widening of the prostate is done by retracting the prostate through stainless steel implants (2).
What are the pros and cons of UroLift?
The following are some pros and cons of the UroLift procedure (2):
| Pros of UroLift surgery | Cons of UroLift surgery |
| Can be performed under local, general, or spinal anaesthesia. | Difficult in patients with high bladder neck. |
| Short procedure time. | Not for large prostates (>100ml). |
| Preserves sexual function. | Not for patients with urinary retention. |
| Fewer staff are required for the procedure. | Limited research on patients with comorbidities. |
| Quick symptom relief and recovery. | High cost. |
| Improved quality of life. | Limited long-term data. |
Before going for a UroLift procedure, patients must thoroughly discuss their health concerns, and medical, and medication history with their urologist or healthcare provider to prevent any further complications or adversities.
Which patients must undergo UroLift surgery?
The following patients must be considered to undergo a UroLift procedure:
- Mild to moderate BPH symptoms- Patients suffering from mild to moderate BPH symptoms can undergo a UroLift procedure. Severe BPH patients are not considered for UroLift surgery.
- Prevent sexual function- The UroLift procedure is linked with preserving sexual function and is associated with lower sexual side effects as compared to other BPH treatments.
- Normal prostate size- Patients with large prostate may not be able to undergo a UroLift procedure. This procedure is not suitable for extremely large prostates.
- Individual patient preference- Some patients may prefer UroLift for its quick relief and recovery along with lower sexual side effects as compared to other methods of BPH treatment.
Most patients who have already undergone a UroLift procedure have been satisfied with the outcomes and have given positive testimonials. Most of them have reported a marked improvement in their quality of life and health.
However, you must always undergo a UroLift procedure after having clear and transparent discussions with your doctor regarding your health condition and history.
In my opinion
In my opinion, your doctor must let you undergo a Urolift surgery if the benefits of this procedure overcome the risks. If you have such a condition that makes you ineligible to undergo a UroLift procedure, then your doctor must suggest some alternative for a UroLift procedure.
Your doctor must advise you for some lifestyle changes or pharmacological intervention until you fit the criteria to undergo a UroLift surgery.
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References
1.-
Roehrborn, Claus G., Peter T. Chin, and Henry H. Woo. “The UroLift Implant: Mechanism behind Rapid and Durable Relief from Prostatic Obstruction.” Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases 25, no. 1 (2022): 79-85. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-021-00434-0.
2.-
Jones, Patrick, Bhavan P. Rai, Omar Aboumarzouk, and Bhaskar K. Somani. “UroLift: A New Minimally-invasive Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.” Therapeutic Advances in Urology 8, no. 6 (2016): 372-376. Accessed January 15, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/1756287216671497.
