Medication may help but when the problems become severe, it’s time to look at surgical interventions. Based on a patient’s age and overall health, there are different types of surgeries for BPH including laser surgery and an open prostatectomy which removes part of the prostate to improve urine flow.
The HoLEP procedure is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that can cure BPH. Ten years after having the procedure 99% of men no longer need to take medication to manage their BPH and they do not require additional surgery.
This outpatient procedure allows your doctor to use a scope with a high-powered laser to remove the excess prostate tissue that is causing the discomfort and blockage. There is less bleeding, faster recovery and because it is done as outpatient surgery, there is no overnight hospital stay.
For your convenience, the HoLEP procedure is offered at two UW Health Urology locations.
University Hospital
UnityPoint Health - Meriter
Drs. Dan Gralnek and Christopher Manakas perform more than 30 HoLEP procedures each month.
Are you a Candidate for HoLEP
HoLEP is ideal for men with large prostates that have:
Bothersome urinary symptoms (Slow Flow, interrupted flow, day and nighttime frequency, urinary urgency)
Are catheter dependent
Recurrent UTIs
Bladder stones
What happens during the procedure
General or spinal anesthesia is given as well as antibiotics
Your surgeon will use a camera to view your prostate
A laser is used to remove the tissue that is causing the problem
The blood vessels will be sealed
A catheter will be inserted
After the HoLEP procedure
Some bleeding is common
Fluid will be flushed through your catheter
Eating and drinking are permitted, increased fluid intake is encouraged to keep the urine flowing
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Achieving success one patient at a time
UW Health Urology is recognized as a top national program for providing new and effective approaches to treatment. Although we do thousands of complex procedures every year, the care we provide you is the most important.