BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

The prostatic hyperplasia takes place in the average and old age male population. It occurs in 23 to 88% of the the men between 45 and 90 years old and it may cause server urinary obstructive symptoms in 10 to 25% of them. A significative amount of that percentage of symptomatic patients deserve treatment. The pharmacologic treatment can bring relief of symptoms for a shorter of longer period of time but it is not the definite solution. In our days the hormones (with anti-androgens effects) and the alfa-1-blockers are used with this purpose. The indications of surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are: urinary infection non responsive to medical treatment; upper urinary tract dilatation or acute urinary retention; decrease of the kidney function; behavioral troubles caused by urinary symptoms. The surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be performed by open or trans-urethral surgery. In the urologic centers 90% of prostatic sugeries are trans-urethral resections (T.U.R.) with similar benefits of the open surgery. The T.U.R. is more comfortable and less painful for the patient. Although, the prostatic surgery may cause retrograde ejaculation it does not interfere on the male sexual behavior and capacity.