Urologic Surgery and Care at BID Plymouth
Transurethral Microwave Dilation (TMD)
More than 17 million men throughout the United States are affected by benign prostatic hyperplasis (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. BPH occurs in approximately half of all men 50 years and older and up to 80% of men 80 years of age.
Symptoms often include pushing or straining to begin urination; a weak urinary stream; dribbling after urination; a frequent need to urinate (sometimes every 2 hours or less); a recurrent, sudden, or uncontrollable urge to urinate; feeling the bladder has not completely emptied after urination; pain during urination and/or waking at night to urinate.
Historically, physicians have treated men with BPH using medication; some of the potential side effects of which are unknown. Today, there is an effective minimally invasive alternative to drug therapy known as Transurethral Microwave Dilation (TMD) and the procedure is yielding great results for patients.
Craig Gillard, MD, board certified in urology, is offering TMD to patients in the comfort of his Plymouth office. The procedure requires no incisions and no general anesthesia, only a local anesthetic gel. This 45-minute treatment is designed to relieve pressure on the prostatic urethra, resulting in improved urine flow. During the procedure, a balloon attached to a catheter opens up the prostatic urethra while microwave heat reduces the enlarged tissue of the prostate. Most men go home without a catheter and experience few post-treatment complications or sexual side effects.
The procedure is not only clinically better for patients, but the costs associated with the TMD procedure are less than a pharmaceutical regimen.
Dr. Gillard has performed almost 400 of these procedures in the past three years.
Minimally Invasive Laser Treatment
When in-office microwave therapy procedure is not the right treatment for men with BPH, Dr. Gillard performs a minimally invasive laser treatment at Beth Israel Deaconess–Plymouth.
Laser treatment uses laser energy to remove obstructing prostate tissue. It provides immediate symptom relief and improves quality of life with little risk of complications. The procedure is completed in an hour or less.
Historically, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has been the standard surgical procedure to remove the prostate. The procedure is invasive, usually involves a hospital stay of 1-3 days and often involves complications including blood loss, impotence, incontinence, infection and retrograde ejaculation (dry climax). Typical recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
With the laser treatment, there are fewer risks for postoperative complications than TURP and recovery time is shorter. Pain medication is rarely needed and patients often go home after a few hours.