Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer can greatly impact your life. One of their most frustrating factors is lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which can include not being able to empty your bladder properly and slow urine flow. Your doctor may recommend using surgery to reduce LUTS. Here's why choosing laser prostate surgery rather than a more invasive method could benefit you.

An Accessible Treatment

Not all forms of prostate surgery are appropriate for enlarged prostates. If the prostate is very large, approaches such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) aren't usually available. When TURP isn't available, you may need to choose between living with LUTS or using a more invasive approach. In contrast, laser prostate surgery is available for prostate glands of all sizes. This is good news if you've approached your doctor too late for other procedures or if your prostate is larger than expected. 

Avoids Invasive Techniques

Depending on your condition, you may be able to use laser surgery as a day patient. It's sometimes possible to avoid going to a hospital so that you can have the procedure in an outpatient clinic instead. Laser surgery involves using a handheld tool that moves through the urethra to laser away parts of the prostate that are placing pressure on your urinary tract. Unlike open surgery, it's less likely to cause blood loss. It also doesn't involve cutting through muscle, so you can return to your usual activities faster. You'll still achieve excellent results, but without as much trauma.

Less Catheter Time

A catheter is a device that your doctor uses to drain your bladder automatically. It's normal to have a catheter following many forms of prostate surgery. However, some forms of surgery require more catheter time than others. Wearing a catheter for a long time can feel uncomfortable and may increase your risk of a bladder infection. Laser surgery significantly reduces the amount of time you need to wear a catheter. As a result, you're at lower risk for infection and can quickly return to normal urination.

Reduced Repeat Surgery

The aim of laser prostate surgery is to remove as much tissue as possible while keeping you healthy. Other approaches don't allow for as much tissue removal. As your prostate continues to enlarge, this may mean you need surgery again in the near future. As laser surgery removes more tissue, you won't face a repeat too quickly. The longer-lasting results can reduce your anxiety and prevent further hospital stays.

For more information about laser prostate surgery, contact a doctor.