What are the risks of endoscopic prostate surgery?

The primary risks of endoscopic prostate surgery include bleeding and infection during and after surgery; urinary incontinence, sexual problems, and urinary tract strictures in the postoperative period. All of these risks are lower compared to open surgery. However, it is best to assess the risks based on the patient's preoperative condition.

Urethral stricture is a condition that can develop after endoscopic surgery, causing narrowing of the external urinary tract, causing difficulty and slow urination. It is most common after prostate surgery due to the pressure exerted by devices placed in the urethra during the procedure. Urethral bougie dilation (i.e., widening the urethra with catheters in an outpatient setting) is initially attempted in the local setting for urethral stricture treatment. If the patient presents early, this procedure is more likely to be successful. However, if this is insufficient, an internal urethrotomy may be necessary. This is a minor procedure that completely opens the urethra using an endoscopic approach. It generally does not require hospitalization, but the catheter may need to be left in place for a few days afterward.

It's important to remember that all urethral strictures are prone to recurrence. Therefore, patients should consult a urologist as soon as they notice a slowing of their urine flow.