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Home › Articles › What is ThuLEP laser enucleation of the prostate?

Enlarged prostate (BPH)

What is ThuLEP laser enucleation of the prostate?

What is ThuLEP?

Bottom line

ThuLEP stands for thulium laser enucleation of the prostate. Through the urethra, with no cuts, a laser separates the blocking prostate tissue from its capsule, like peeling an orange.

Background

The tissue is then removed. It works for small to very large prostates. General anesthesia is used, and a catheter usually stays in for about a week. Many men have dry ejaculation afterward, and some have leakage for a while.

Signs it's time for a visit

If you have BPH and a large prostate, ask whether ThuLEP fits you.

For our Douglas County patients

Douglas County readers can book with Daniel Roberson, PA-C, at 2713 Charles Hardy Parkway in Dallas. When surgery is recommended for Douglas residents, our urologists perform it in Marietta.

Request an appointment at Advanced Urology.

Call (678) 344-8900 Book a visit online

First steps in Dallas

Douglas County men with prostate symptoms can start at our Dallas Clinic with Daniel Roberson, PA-C. He'll review your symptoms, medicines and urine tests, check how well you empty, and order prostate imaging when it's useful.

How ThuLEP compares

With ThuLEP, a thulium laser passed through the urethra shells out the blocking inner tissue without skin incisions, and larger glands can be treated. Our urologists perform it in Marietta and compare it with UroLift, Aquablation, TURP, prostate artery embolization and robotic simple prostatectomy. Retrograde ejaculation is a possible effect and is discussed up front.

Call promptly if

  • You can't pass urine
  • Fever or chills develop
  • Bleeding is heavy or contains clots

Common questions

Common questions

Will I need a catheter?

Usually for a short time after the procedure. Burning and urgency can last a while as the area heals.

Is tissue checked afterward?

Yes. Removed tissue is sent to the lab, which can occasionally find unexpected cancer.

Consultations for men in Douglas County are booked at (678) 344-8900.

Recovery usually involves a few days of taking it easy, and we'll explain when you can drive, lift and return to work. Some burning or urgency for a few weeks afterward is common as healing continues.

Follow-up visits can happen in Dallas.

Plan for a driver home.

We'll go over recovery tips before you leave.

Related reading

Videos from Advanced Urology

#002 - Go With the Flow: How Aquablation Clears the Way for BPH Relief What the video covers: An episode on Aquablation for BPH: how the water-jet procedure works, how it compares with other prostate procedures, who may be a candidate, and what to expect before and after. Watch on YouTube

Videos play here from Advanced Urology’s YouTube channel, using YouTube’s privacy-enhanced mode.

Where can I go from here?

Start with the condition page, then call or book online whenever you are ready.

Questions after reading this? Our offices in Marietta, Canton, Dallas and Jasper share one phone line and one caring team.

Call (678) 344-8900 Book online