WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about prostate photovaporization? Prostate photovaporization (PVP) is a procedure that uses a laser to vaporize (burn away) part of the prostate gland. This can help reduce urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. How do I prepare for prostate PVP? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during prostate PVP? You may need to urinate before your procedure. You may be given medicine to keep you asleep during the procedure. Or, you may be given medicine to keep you calm and relaxed. With this medicine, you will be awake during the procedure but you will not feel pain. Your healthcare provider will insert a scope into your penis through your urethra. He will insert the laser through the scope and move it to the prostate. He will use the laser to vaporize the enlarged prostate tissue until the blockage is removed. You may need a catheter after the procedure to drain urine from your bladder. What are the risks of prostate PVP? You may have mild discomfort or burning when you urinate. You may have increased urge and frequency to urinate. There may be a small amount of blood in your urine for the first 2 weeks after the procedure. The laser may irritate or damage the tissue in and around your prostate. You may not be able to ejaculate. Semen may drain into your bladder and come out in your urine instead of through the urethra during sexual activity. |