Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or more commonly known as prostate enlargement effects nearly 50% of men by time they reach their mid 50s and 80% of men in their 80s. Enlargement of the prostate can lead to a host of bothersome urinary symptoms including weak stream, straining to urinate, increased urinary frequency, sudden urges to urinate, nighttime urination, and incomplete bladder emptying. These symptoms can severely impact a man’s quality of life.
Suffering with urinary symptoms does not need to be part of aging. BPH is treatable with either medications or surgery that can lead to a reduction in symptoms and significant improvements in sleep patterns and quality of life.
The first step to improving your quality of life is seeking an evaluation by one of our CHI St. Alexius Health Urologists. These health care professionals will assess the severity of your symptoms, perform additional testing, and discuss the various treatment options available to you.
If surgery is right for you, CHI St. Alexius Health is proud to be the first and only hospital in North Dakota to offer Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HOLEP). HOLEP is a minimally invasive maximally effective option for management of BPH. HOLEP is a nearly painless surgery performed without any incisions. A laser is used to safely remove the inner obstructing portion of the prostate.
HOLEP offers multiple benefits over traditional surgery:
- Improved urine flow rates
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter catheter duration
- Decreased blood loss
- Treatment of any size prostate
- Lower retreatment rate
- Improved patient satisfaction
HOLEP is an excellent surgical option, but rare secondary to its steep learning curve. Dr. Charchenko at CHI St. Alexius Health completed his residency at Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN along with a minimally invasive Urologic Surgery Fellowship where he specialized in robotic surgery, kidney stones, and HOLEP. He is proud to offer this surgery to our North Dakota communities.
To schedule an appointment with a CHI St. Alexius Health Urologist please call 701.530.7000. All surgical procedures have potential risks and complications. Prior to undergoing surgery, please be sure to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon.
Das, A. K., Teplitsky, S., & Humphreys, M. R. (2019). Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HOLEP): a Review and Update. Can J Urol, 26, 13–19.