Prostate, which can only be found in men, is located in the pelvis. It sits between the penis and bladder and is surrounded by the urethra (a tube that discharges urine outside of the body). An enlarged prostate is a condition most common in aged men who are having moderate to severe problems and difficulties with urination. Furthermore, when the prostate becomes enlarged, it puts heavy pressure against the urethra and bladder, creating a blockage or interface with the discharge of the urine. Therefore, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a type of surgery that removes a section of the prostate that has caused urinary problems.  Below some of the reasons why TURP is carried out will be explained:

TURP is recommended when the medications fail to alleviate the problems and helps with the treatment.

• Intermittent urination.
• Weak or slow urinary stream.
• An increased urge to urinate repeatedly, especially at night. 
• Having difficulty in maintaining the urinary flow causing to stop and start again.
• A feeling that the balder has not been emptied fully. 

A few days before the surgery, the doctor may ask the patient to stop taking any medications that increase the risk of bleeding. The whole procedure may take between 1 to 1.5 hours, and based on the doctor’s opinion, the patient may be given a general anesthetic or spinal anesthetic. With the help of a device called a resectoscope which contains a metal tube, camera, and loop of a wire, the doctor examines the urethra.

The procedure requires no incisions, and the doctor guides the resectoscope through the urethra until it reaches the prostate area. Furthermore, the areas of the prostate which has caused debilitating symptoms, including a blockage in the urination will be cut one section at a time. If any bleeding occurs, it will be stopped by applying electricity. Subsequently, the cut pieces of the prostate will be flushed, sometimes with the use of a catheter, into the balder, and then will be drained by the urethra.

Commonly, TURP is considered a safe procedure; however, some complications may occur following the surgery:

• Urinary retention: Some patients may have temporary difficulty with urination. 
• Urinary tract infection: Patients may be required to place a catheter in the penis, which may cause some unwanted complications. 
• Dry orgasm: A condition that occurs when a man reaches climax and the semen will not ejaculate fully, also known as (retrograde ejaculation). 
• Erectile dysfunction:  Developing such a condition is very rare, but it may be possible.  

• While the prostate heals, the catheter will stay in place for 1 to two days.
• The patients should drink plenty of water because it helps with the flushing of the remaining blood clots.
• Also, patients should not do any heavy lifting.
• Patients may feel under the weather for some weeks or experience some sore, taking medications that are prescribed by the doctor is highly recommended.
• Eat foods that are high in fibers.
• Refrain from having sex for some weeks after the procedure.

The most common type of TURP treatment in Iran is the use of lasers for the removal of the obstructing prostatic tissues. Almost all of the sub-specialized hospitals in Iran have the essential equipment to perform TURP surgeries. Moreover, the success rate of these operations performed by professionals and skilled Iranian urologist has resulted in a regional reputation in transforming Iran as one of the reliable destinations to receive the best treatments. The establishment of some of the famous sub-specialty hospitals in Iran was the starting point to offer the latest medical treatments concerning a variety of illnesses. Subsequently, most hospitals in Iran benefit from the presence of professors in every medical field, and International Patients Department (IPD) that is specially designed for foreign patients, offering a wide range of medical services.