UroLift to Treat Enlarged Prostate

UroLift to Treat Enlarged Prostate


UroLift is a procedure done to widen the urethra if it has become narrow or blocked by an overgrown prostate gland, also called an enlarged prostate. The procedure uses tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it does not block the urethra.

Benefits

  • There is little downtime from your normal daily activities.
  • This outpatient procedure is most often done in a doctor’s office under local anesthesia. 
  • No catheter needs to be placed to do the procedure.
  • There are usually no sexual side effects, such as erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction.
  • It is covered by most insurance and can reduce ongoing medicine costs.
  • It can provide relief from urinary tract symptoms as soon as 2 weeks after treatment.

Risks

  • Blood in the urine.
  • Temporary urge incontinence or urgency, which is a strong, sudden need to urinate.
  • Temporary pelvic pain.
  • Very rarely, the clips may move and need to be removed.

How the procedure is done

  1. When you have an enlarged prostate, it can narrow or even block the urethra, causing problems with urinating. 

    Showls 2 images of prostates, normal prostate on the left and enlarged prostate on the right
     
  2. The UroLift Delivery Device is placed through the blocked urethra to access the enlarged prostate.

    Shows image of enlarged prostate in image 1, and Urolift device placed through urethra into prostate on the right
     
  3. Small UroLift implants are put into the prostate through a small needle that comes out of the UroLift Delivery Device.

    Shows image of Urolift device placed through urethra into prostate, pushing to left side, with implants being placed
     
  4. The implants are permanently placed on both sides to lift or hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way. The UroLift Delivery Device is removed, leaving an open urethra.

    Shows image of Urolift device placed through urethra into prostate, pushing to right t side, with implants, then device removed with 4 implants holding prostate so that urethra is open
    Images used with permission from © 2022 Teleflex Incorporated.


After your procedure

After your procedure, you may still feel like you need to urinate often for a few weeks. It may take 4 to 6 weeks for this to get better. After you have healed, you may have less trouble urinating. You may have better control over starting and stopping your urine stream. 

Most people can return to work or do many of their usual activities in 1 to 2 weeks. 
 

© 2022 ― August 8, 2022, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, call the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or email: health-info@osu.edu.