Benign prostate enlargement is common in men and associated with bothersome urinary symptoms, including poor flow and needing to pass urine frequently. 

In more severe cases, men require catheters (a plastic tube placed in the water pipe) to empty the bladder, and can have problems with recurrent urine infections, including blockages and passing blood. Unfortunately, men often suffer for years before they address these issues properly.

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate 

(source: www.nhs.uk)

The main symptoms of an enlarged prostate are problems with peeing, such as:

• difficulty starting to pee, or having to push or strain to pee

• a weak flow of pee, stopping and starting, and taking longer than usual to empty your bladder

• feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder

• dribbling pee after you finish peeing

• needing to pee more often or urgently, including getting up to pee during the night

The symptoms usually develop slowly and may gradually get worse as you get over the age of 70. HoLEP or Holmium laser enucleation of prostate is a surgical option that removes the majority of the prostate via a telescope that passes through the water pipe. So, unlike traditional surgery, which requires cuts through the skin to carry out the operation to ‘shell’ out (or enucleate) the prostate, HoLEP achieves the same success rates and long-term results safely, with quicker recovery. Patients having HoLEP surgery would expect over 25 years without the need to undergo further prostate surgery. 

For many, this would be a ‘once in a lifetime’ prostate operation. When compared to other prostate treatments available, men report dramatic flow rates, similar to those they enjoyed during their teenage years! 

Mr Matthew Liew leads the North West Private HoLEP service at Spire Manchester, where patients are typically treated within weeks of being assessed in clinic. Men tend to stay in hospital one night after surgery, with a 3-week recovery period. We have successfully treated over 100 patients since starting the service last year. Many reported the operation ‘life changing’, and that they wished to have had the operation sooner. 

Men can expect a 99% catheter-free rate, and less than 0.5% (or 1 in 200) chance of complications of urinary incontinence. 

We are excited to announce a new approach we are pioneering, called ejaculatory -sparing HoLEP. This has been effective for all the men we have treated to date. It is considered an ideal option for younger men; their major treatment goal is to preserve sexual function AND have the excellent overall long-term benefits of HoLEP.

The long-term outlook for ejaculatory-sparing HoLEP is very promising. Patients can expect:

• Sustained significant improvement in bothersome prostate symptoms

• A high likelihood of maintaining ejaculation

• Generally stable erectile function

• Low rates of needing repeat procedures.

This is why we believe that HoLEP, which is suitable for all prostate sizes, is the best prostate operation available.

By Mr Liew is the most experienced HoLEP surgeon in Greater Manchester and is a regional trainer for HoLEP.

For enquiries, you can email prostatenorthwest@gmail.com or call 0161 726 5105. 

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­­Find out more at www.urologyclinics.co.uk   /   Contact Urology Clinics Manchester e: info@urologyclinics.co.uk