Men in middle age and beyond have likely heard of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at least once. Benign prostatic hyperplasia refers to the phenomenon where the prostate gland gradually enlarges due to aging. The problem is that an enlarged prostate can cause severe urinary disorders that significantly impair one's quality of life. If this condition is accompanied by bladder stones and urethral stricture, the symptoms become even more complex, and treatment also becomes more challenging.
The prostate is an organ located below the male bladder and contributes to the production of some seminal fluid. On average, it maintains a size of about 20g, but it exhibits a characteristic pattern of gradual enlargement with age. When the prostate becomes enlarged, it compresses the urethra, which is the passage through which urine exits, and as a result, urinary disorders can occur. Typical symptoms of BPH include a feeling of incomplete emptying after urination, frequent urination, nocturia (nighttime urination), and decreased urinary flow rate.
If urine cannot be discharged smoothly, residual urine remains in the bladder, which can lead to the formation of bladder stones. When such complex problems exist, the symptoms become even more severe, and the need for treatment becomes even more urgent.
In such situations, a prominent treatment method is HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate) surgery. HoLEP stands for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate. HoLEP is a groundbreaking treatment that can simultaneously treat both benign prostatic hyperplasia and bladder stones. The holmium laser can precisely remove prostatic tissue and also finely fragment bladder stones, facilitating their natural expulsion. Therefore, it is considered an ideal treatment for patients experiencing complex urinary problems.
However, one should not automatically attribute all urinary symptoms to benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is because similar symptoms can occur due to other causes, such as urethral stricture, even if the prostate size is normal. Urethral stricture refers to a condition where the urethra narrows due to damage, inflammation, or the effects of surgery. A characteristic symptom is urine flowing out in a thin stream, like through a needle hole.
Recently, such urethral strictures can also be treated using laser technology. This method involves incising the narrowed area with a laser and then inserting a stent to widen the urethral diameter.
Dr. Ryu Je-man, director of Goldman Urology Seoul Station Branch, stated, “When symptoms are similar but the causes differ, such as in benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder stones, and urethral stricture, accurate diagnosis and precise treatment strategies are paramount.” He added, “Procedures utilizing lasers, in particular, offer significant advantages for middle-aged and older patients due to less bleeding, reduced pain, and faster recovery. The key is to accurately identify the underlying cause rather than making hasty judgments based solely on visible symptoms, and then receive the most appropriate treatment.”