UroLift prostate treatment
UroLift is a minimally invasive procedure for an enlarged prostate.
- Also called prostatic urethral lift (PUL)
- For people with urinary symptoms who haven’t found relief with medication
- Can be a ‘middle step’ between medication and more intensive surgery
- A daytime procedure with no overnight hospital stay
- Fast recovery with a return to full activity after a week
Birmingham Prostate Clinic are a team of leading urologists and oncologists, who specialise in diagnosing and treating prostate, bladder and kidney conditions.
Our consultants are experts in performing UroLift, alongside a range of the latest treatments for enlarged prostate, helping people to find relief from symptoms.
What is UroLift?
UroLift is a surgical procedure to treat urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
An enlarged prostate squeezes and blocks the urethra (the urine tube). UroLift uses tiny implants to lift and pin back the prostate, allowing urine to flow more easily.
Who is UroLift for?
Lifestyle modifications and medicine are the first line of defence, but they don’t work for everyone. If your symptoms haven’t improved or you’re having side effects, you might want to consider a surgical approach.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends considering UroLift if:
- You have enlarged prostate symptoms
- You’re over age 50
- Your prostate is the right size – between 30 and 80 ml
“There is a clear benefit for men who are not happy with medication for their enlarged prostate and want to try the least invasive procedure”
– Mr Alan Doherty, Clinical Director at Birmingham Prostate Clinic
What are the benefits of UroLift?
UroLift has some advantages over other therapies:
- It’s a short procedure, lasting around 20 minutes
- You can go home on the same day – no need for a catheter
- It can preserve full sexual function (ejaculation and erections)
- Side effects are usually mild and temporary
- It can be done under general or local anaesthetic
- You may be able to stop taking medication afterwards, including tamsulosin
- You can have other surgical procedures in the future if needed, including repeating UroLift
- It’s reversible – the implants can be partially removed
How does UroLift compare to other treatments for an enlarged prostate?
Most procedures for an enlarged prostate aim to shrink the size of the prostate. This can mean cutting away some of the prostate or using heat to destroy excess tissue.
UroLift doesn’t remove any prostate tissue. Instead, it uses implants to push the prostate to the sides, similar to drawing open curtains. This eases pressure on the urethra, allowing urine to flow normally.
UroLift is a less invasive option, so it may not improve symptoms as much as other procedures. But importantly, UroLift doesn’t prevent you from having further operations in the future if needed.
“UroLift is a promising ‘middle step’ in the treatment spectrum.”
– Mr Alan Doherty
Why choose Birmingham Prostate Clinic?
We are a leading group of urological experts with a seamless patient pathway for personalised prostate treatments.
Our consultants are experienced in almost all treatments for enlarged prostate, giving them a unique perspective for comparing the risks and benefits of each option.
While UroLift is one of the latest techniques, it’s already a well-established procedure recommended by Birmingham Prostate Clinic, led by skilled and experienced surgeons.
What to expect when you’re having a UroLift procedure
Before we recommend UroLift, you’ll need an ultrasound to check your prostate is the right shape and size. This is done by using an ultrasound or by inserting a small camera into your bladder under local anaesthetic. Then we’ll book you in for a procedure on a future day.
Here’s what to expect during UroLift:
Before
- The day of your procedure, a nurse checks your temperature, pulse and blood pressure
- Next, your surgeon and anaesthetist visit you – we usually use general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep for the procedure, but sometimes local anaesthetic is an option
- You’ll have the chance to ask any questions
During
- A surgeon will gently insert the UroLift system into your urethra. It’s fitted with a small camera so they can see what they’re doing
- The surgeon will place two to six implants into your prostate depending on its size
- The whole procedure takes around 15 to 20 minutes
After
- You’ll stay in hospital until the general anaesthetic has worn off – it should only take a few hours
- A nurse will check you can urinate normally without a catheter
- You may be given antibiotics if you’re at higher risk of an infection
- Finally, we’ll send you on your way home – be sure to arrange a ride or taxi if you’re having general anaesthetic
Recovery at home
- If you’ve had general anaesthetic, you should be able to drive again after 24 hours if you feel well enough
- You can go back to work as soon as you feel able to
- You can go back to your normal activities within one week, including sex and exercise
Any pain or discomfort should be mild and manageable with paracetamol – urinating might be uncomfortable for the first few days.
It’s normal for your urine to be pink or have a few blood clots, but it should go back to usual after a few days.
What are the risks with UroLift?
While most people get on well after a UroLift, there are still risks. The most common side effects include:
- Discomfort when urinating
- Needing to urinate urgently or often
- Leaking urine
- Pelvic pain
- Blood in the urine
- Temporary urinary retention and need for a catheter
These usually settle down after a few weeks.
Some rare side effects include bleeding and infection. We may also offer antibiotics after surgery to lower your risk of infection. Our advanced nurses are also available any time you have questions.
There’s also a chance you’ll need more treatment in the future. An analysis1 of over 2,000 patients found that 1 in 4 people had more surgery within 5 years. But, about 1 in 3 of those people chose to repeat UroLift.
