What is the most widely used surgical procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

• A. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• B. Open prostatectomy
• C. Laser ablation of the prostate
• D. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Answer: (A)

Transurethral resection of the prostate removes the obstructing prostatic tissue through the urethra, using a resectoscope, so no external incision is needed. This approach provides effective, lasting relief of bladder outlet obstruction and improves urinary flow, with a relatively quick recovery and less blood loss than an open prostatectomy. Because TURP has a long track record and broad applicability across a wide range of prostate sizes and patient circumstances, it has become the standard or most widely used surgical treatment for BPH. Other options exist—laser therapies are available and useful in certain patients, particularly those on anticoagulants or when a faster recovery is desired, but they are not yet as universally adopted as TURP. Open prostatectomy is more invasive and typically reserved for very large glands, with greater morbidity and longer recovery. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a cancer-focused procedure and not used for BPH.