In July 2016, Medicare approved the use of Urolift. This is a stapling device that anchors on the outside prostate capsule and pulls the inner channel outwards opening the prostatic urethra. Opening this urinary channel has been the mainstay of therapy for men suffering with BPH symptoms. This novel minimally invasive therapy accomplishes the same goal with good long term outcomes and minimal side effects during recovery.

Indications for this procedure have been similar to those undergoing TURP or Green light laser of the prostate. However, this procedure takes approximately 10 minutes and recovery is shorter with less side effects. It is well established that the previous therapies have significant sexual side effects in that with TURP there is a 98% chance or retrograde ejaculation. This procedure does not impact the bladder neck and in the published series there are no reported cases of retrograde ejaculation. The studies show that at 4 years 86% of patients did not need another prostate opening procedure.

In my opinion, this has significant potential to help men who want to try to stop taking medication, someone who has progressive symptoms and want better relief without undergoing significant surgery, those who want low risk to sexual dysfunction or who want a shorter post-operative recovery over the conventional treatment. This is yet another exciting advancement in the treatment of BPH.