TUMT postopt

TUMT - TRANSURETHRAL MICROWAVE THERMOTHERAPY OF THE PROSTATE

POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

You have received a procedure to your prostate gland which entails the administration of microwave energy directly to the prostate through a catheter (specially modified "rubber" tube passed down your urethra -penis channel.) This energy was specially directed and controlled by computers which monitored the temperature of your urethra and rectum to coordinate the intensity and duration of the microwave energy. The result of this treatment will be the disintegration of a significant portion of your prostate that was obstructing your urinary flow. The disintegration of the prostate will be slow and associated with some symptoms that you should be aware of and be prepared to manage.

In the immediate postoperative period and for several days thereafter, there will be significant swelling of the prostate which may lead to blockage of your urinary flow. You should therefore be prepared to either perform intermittent self-catheterization or to have an indwelling foley catheter placed (see other patient education information hand-outs.) This period of assisting your bladder in drainage of urine will need to continue until the postoperative swelling of the prostate recedes as the prostatic tissue disintegrates.

You will have urinary urgency, frequency, and some burning on urination. This will resolve with time and can be managed, although unlikely eliminated, with the use of medications which you will be prescribed. You need to be tolerant of these irritable voiding symptoms, as they are a trade-off of transurethral microwave thermotherapy, a result of the treating microwave energy destroying the obstructing tissue and the body's reaction to that energy with subsequent slow dissolving of the treated prostate gland overgrowth. In most men this symptomatic period is six to twelve (6-12) weeks, with the most annoying symptoms occurring in the first seventy-two (72) hours after surgery.

Although bleeding is not common, it can occur and should be managed by lightening your activity and increasing your fluids. If the urine turns dark red like tomato soup, you need to contact us and be prepared to come to the emergency room. During the postoperative period, and especially if bleeding is encountered, avoid aspirin or other drugs which "thin the blood" unless specifically advised that you can continue their use.

Most of your concerns in the postoperative period can be addressed by patience and common sense. Be sure to review the literature you have been provided, and make sure you have a postoperative appointment scheduled for approximately six weeks after your procedure. When you arrive for that appointment, please have a full bladder prepared to give a urine sample.