Are you exploring Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) treatment options, and researching prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)? Each procedure can provide effective BPH relief, but also comes with unique considerations. Here's the critical information to consider when comparing PAE vs TURP.

Key Takeaways

• PAE costs less than TURP, does not require general anesthesia or overnight hospital stays, and carries less risk for sexual side effects and other complications
• The prostate gland gets larger as you age
• Men with significant prostate enlargement choose between PAE and TURP for symptom relief

Benign Prostate Enlargement

As men age, the prostate gland tends to grow in size. This enlargement can lead to disruptive symptoms such as frequent urination, waking up at night to urinate, and difficulties stating or stopping the flow of urine. When the prostate is still relatively small in size, men may find symptom relief from lifestyle changes such as managing your fluid intake, diet and exercise routines.

There are also minimally invasive surgical options that may help relieve symptoms associated with mild prostate enlargement. These include the Urolift procedure, where you place a permanent stent in the urethra to keep it open. There is also a steam-based procedure that can help dissolve excess prostate tissue. However, these procedures are best-suited for mild prostate enlargement. Men with larger prostates will like have to choose between PAE vs TURP to experience BPH relief.

What's the Difference Between PAE vs TURP?

When you're suffering from BPH symptoms, you may be able to find relief with PAE and/or TURP, but different patients will be better suited for one medical procedure over the other. PAE treatment, available at Georgia Endovascular, is a minimally invasive medical procedure that blocks blood supply to the prostate gland, causing it to shrink. It is an outpatient procedure performed without general anesthesia. By three to four weeks following the procedure, your prostate will shrink enough to deliver noticeable symptom relief, and benefits will progress from there.

TURP, however, is a surgical procedure that removes enlarged prostate tissue. It's performed using general anesthesia, typically necessitating an overnight hospital stay. Because the prostate shrinks immediately due to tissue removal, you may experience symptom relief at an earlier point following your procedure. 

Risks and Benefits

Since PAE is a minimally invasive procedure, any associated side effects, including pelvic pain or pain with urination, are minimal and temporary. The recovery period is also shorter than after a surgical procedure, and, according to currently available data, PAE effectively relieves symptoms of BPH for at least six years.

In contrast, patients recovering from TURP will need to spend between one and three days in the hospital after surgery. Catheterization for at least 24 hours will also be necessary. TURP also comes with a greater risk for serious and longer-lasting side effects, including bleeding and sexual side effects such as retrograde ejaculation (in which semen flows back into the bladder instead of out through the urethra.)

Cost of PAE vs TURP

Both PAE and TURP should be covered by insurance, but some out of pocket expenses will still be likely with both procedures. Typically, PAE is less expensive than TURP as it doesn't require overnight hospital stays or the cost of general anesthesia.

Choosing The Right Treatment for BPH

Before deciding between PAE vs TURP, consider:

• Your current age and health
• The severity of your BPH symptoms, along with the degree to which your prostate is enlarged
• Any existing or prior medical conditions that could impact your ability to withstand surgery

Do you need help choosing your best treatment option for an enlarged prostate? To explore your Prostatic Artery Embolization candidacy, reach out to our interventional radiology team  and request a consultation at one of our three locations in the greater Atlanta region.