How Much Does BPH Laser Surgery Cost?

What Influences the Cost of Laser Surgery for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement, commonly seen in older men, often presents urinary complaints like increased urination, weak streams, and urination at night. In this era of advancing medical technology, laser surgery is a primary method of treatment for BPH as a minimally invasive option when compared with conventional surgery. This method has gained popularity in India for its efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness, serving many patients needing permanent relief from troublesome symptoms.

Continue reading to learn how BPH can be treated for a permanent cure, the recent advancements in BPH management, and the approximate costs of laser surgeries undertaken in different Indian states.

Understanding BPH and Its Effects

BPH refers to the increase in the size of the prostate gland, a nonmalignant condition that arises mostly from hormonal changes with age. This increase in size can compress the urethra, causing symptoms like difficulty in starting urination, weak urine stream, dribbling, frequent urination, especially at night, etc. If the condition is not treated, BPH can lead to complications like urinary retention, bladder stones, and in rare cases, kidney damage.

How is BPH Permanently Treated?

BPM treatment aims to relieve urinary obstruction and improve the patients' lives. There are several permanent treatment options:

• Medications: Drugs such as alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce symptoms but, in most cases, require lifelong use and may not give definitive treatment.
• Minimally Invasive Procedures: These include transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) and transurethral needle ablation (TUNA); all can relieve symptoms but are not necessarily applicable to every patient.
• Surgical Interventions: When all else fails, this is the definitive treatment for moderate to severe BPH when medication alone offers no relief.

Laser Surgery for BPH

Laser intervention has revolutionised the surgical treatment of BPH. The most commonly used modalities are:

• Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): In this surgery, the adenomatous tissue is removed with a holmium laser. HoLEP results are comparable to open surgery but are associated with lower bleeding, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
• Photoselective Vaporisation of the Prostate (GreenLight Laser):This method vaporises obstructive tissue and is especially suited for smaller prostates.
• Thulium Laser Prostatectomy: This method enables exact tissue removal with minimal bleeding.

Laser surgery is minimally invasive and incision-less and has the advantage of giving immediate symptom relief with a low risk of complications compared to traditional surgery.

What Is the New Treatment for BPH?

Recent developments have attempted to make these procedures even less invasive and more convenient:

• HoLEP: Now regarded as the gold standard for laser therapy for BPH, HoLEP may treat prostates of any size and offer possibly permanent long-term relief.
• GreenLight Laser Therapy: Continues to develop, aiming for rapid recovery and applicability for patients receiving blood thinners.
• Emerging Technologies: Less invasive options such as water vapour therapy (Rezūm) and prostatic urethral lift (UroLift) are being recognised for selective patients, although they are still not widely offered in India.

Average Cost of BPH Laser Surgery in India

India offers BPH laser surgery at a far lower price than many Western countries, making it a sought-after place for local and international patients. The price depends on the type of procedure, the hospital's reputation, and the surgeon's expertise.

Cost Breakdown by State/City

Factors Affecting the Cost of BPH Laser Surgery in India

India BPH laser surgery covers many factors that affect the overall cost. Such factors are:

• Type of laser procedure (HoLEP, GreenLight, Thulium)
• Hospital infrastructure and location
• Surgeon's experience and reputation
• Room category and duration of hospital stay
• Preoperative tests and post-surgery care
• Insurance coverage or government health schemes

Risks and Considerations of BPH Laser Surgery in India

Despite laser surgery generally being considered safe, there are a few potential hazards:

• Temporary urinary incontinence
• Infection
• Rarely, impotence

Most complications are temporary and will resolve on their own with time. Before the procedure, individuals should discuss their risks and expectations with a qualified urologist.

BPH laser surgery is safe, effective, and permanent for such men regarding urinary symptoms resulting from prostate enlargement. Patients will quickly relieve their symptoms, experience minimal downtime, and enjoy significantly improved quality of life through advanced techniques like HoLEP and GreenLight laser therapy.

The cost of laser surgery in India is very competitive and affordable for many patients, varying from city to city. Those who experience signs of BPH should consult a professional urologist about the options and take the first step in seeking continuous relief.