In the United States, more than 11.9 million men are being treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate.
Singla
Of the almost 12 million men being treated, only 1 percent of patients opt for surgery, 51 percent try medications, and 20 percent of those patients later stop taking their medication for various reasons, including side effects.
That’s why when Singla learned about a new minimally invasive surgery option earlier this year, he decided it was something UTMC needed to offer patients. The procedure, called Urolift, has been performed twice at UTMC.
“Both of the patients we’ve performed this surgery on are doing very well, and they’re very happy and pleased with the outcome,” Singla said.
The outpatient procedure is done by inserting permanent implants, which pull the two lobes of the prostate away from each other to open up the urethra. The entire procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes, does not require a catheter afterward, and doesn’t involve cutting, burning or removing prostate tissue.
This procedure is new to urological surgery after being recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. UTMC took the lead in offering this procedure to the Toledo community and was the first to perform it in the region of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
The procedure is being done under general anesthetic in the hospital, but Singla hopes to perform the procedure in the office under local anesthetic in the future.
“In the office, it is more convenient for the patient,” Singla said.
The procedure is being done in offices under local anesthetic at other places, so Singla said it is only a matter of time before UTMC will do the same.
Urolift is manufactured by NeoTract and was approved by the FDA this year for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.
For more information, visit uroliftforbph.com or contact Singla’s office at 419.383.3555.
