Prostate surgery and laser prostate surgery at Spire Dunedin Hospital

Spire Dunedin Hospital is a well-established private hospital and we take pride in delivering a high standard of care to our patients in Reading and the surrounding Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire areas.

Our urologists are specialists in men’s health, with peer reviewed expertise in prostate surgery. Our dedicated nurses will provide you with expert aftercare, to help you get back to your usual activities as soon as possible.

You can expect fast access to diagnostic tests and scans, consultations and treatments. It usually takes around two weeks from referral or diagnosis by your consultant to undergoing prostate surgery. 

We offer a variety of treatments for prostate surgery. Treatment choices available to you will depend on your condition and your general health. Your consultant will discuss which treatment is best for you.

The type of anaesthetic you need varies depending on the procedure you need. It may be:

• A general anaesthetic meaning you’re asleep – this is most often used
• A spinal or epidural – where you can’t feel anything from the waist down
• A local anaesthetic – you’ll be awake but you won’t be able to feel anything in the area being operated on

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

• A thin surgical tube is passed through your urethra and a small, electrically-heated wire is used to remove small pieces of prostate tissue
• This procedure may be more suitable for men with an acute urine blockage or those with a catheter already in place
• Usually performed under general anaesthetic, this is a 60 to 90 minute operation
• A urinary catheter will be fitted for around one to three days after the operation
• There are no stitches or dressings after this operation

Transurethral electrovaporisation of the prostate (TUVP)

• Similar to TURP, but a rollerball instead of a wire loop is used to apply electrical energy to the tissue 
• Performed under general or spinal anaesthetic
• A catheter is still required, but may be for a shorter time than TURP

Laser prostate surgery

• Carried out using high powered laser energy (HoLEP or Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate) to remove or enucleate obstructive tissue
• A small flexible fibre-optic tube is passed into the urethra, with light pulsed down this to tube generating intense heat
• Performed under general anaesthetic
• Minimal pain and bleeding post-operatively
• There are no stitches or dressings after this operation
• Usually a urinary catheter is fitted for around one to three days after the operation, but it may be for a shorter time than with TURP 

Prostate artery embolisation (PAE)

• A radiological intervention carried out through a radial artery in your wrist
• Shrinks the size of your prostate by blocking the arteries that feed it
• Performed using local anaesthetic
• Carried out as a day case with some patients walking around within 15 minutes of procedure
• A urinary catheter isn’t usually required
• May take up to two months for full results to be felt

Rezum (water vapour treatment of the prostate)

• Water or steam under pressure is used to destroy prostate tissue
• Performed using general anaesthetic as a day case
• Procedure takes up to 40 minutes with no stitches or dressings after this operation
• A urinary catheter is fitted, as the prostate swells temporarily afterwards - this is removed as an outpatient within seven days

Every treatment has its own benefits and risks which your consultant will explain to you during your consultation.

Coming into hospital

Spire Dunedin Hospital is conveniently situated close to the heart of Reading, on the A4 Bath Road. We’re a short walk from Reading West station and a 10 minute taxi from Reading mainline station with direct trains to and from London. There’s free parking available for you and your visitors.

Meeting your consultant

You’ll meet your consultant in one of our consultation rooms. You’ll discuss:

• Your symptoms and medical history
• If your consultant requires any additional tests or scans to help plan your treatment
• Alternative treatments or lifestyle changes which may help
• What the treatment involves and procedure options
• Potential benefits and risks of prostate surgery

You may also need a pre-operative assessment with a specialist nurse before going ahead with treatment. This is to ensure you're fit and well enough for surgery.

The procedures we offer at Spire Dunedin Hospital can take from 60 to 90 minutes and are largely painless. Certain treatments often don’t require an overnight stay.

If you’ve come with a friend or family member, they're welcome to wait in our lounge, restaurant, or our garden if the weather is good, while you have your operation.

After some surgical procedures, you may need a urinary catheter until the swelling in your urethra has gone down, allowing you to pass urine normally again. This will be taken out by one of our nurses before you leave hospital – which can be up to two nights after your operation.

During your stay, you’ll have your own, en-suite room which will have:

• En-suite bathroom
• Window
• Television
• Guest seating

Our nurses will provide you with medication to help you manage any pain following your operation. They’ll also give you advice about over-the-counter medications you can use while at home, and anything you should or shouldn’t do.

Your recovery time will depend on the procedure you've had and your overall health. Getting back to work will also depend on the nature of your job. Follow your consultant’s specific advice about heavy work or strenuous activity.

Although everyone’s different, here’s a typical timeline for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - the most common procedure: