Urinary (“waterworks”) symptoms are very common, and indeed, will affect virtually all men as they age. Commonly, they are due to benign enlargement of the prostate. Importantly, symptoms can significantly affect quality of life for men, and their partners, as they may result in difficulty during the day and may also result in interrupted sleep at night time.
Professor Shergill is an expert in diagnosing and treating such symptoms, with modern contemporary options. Initially, during the consultation, the severity and effect of the symptoms on your day-to-day living will be assessed. An examination will also be carried out to exclude other causes of prostate problems. Professor Shergill will offer you further investigations in the form of flow test (passing urine in a specialised toilet which can assess strength or weakness of urine flow), followed by an ultrasound scan (jelly scan). Further tests are carried out in complicated cases.
Modern management involves use of simple behavioural changes, medications (taken once a day only) which are well tolerated. Operations are reserved in complicated cases or those who do not wish to take regular medications. Importantly, Professor Shergill offers new minimally invasive treatments such as Urolift and laser prostate surgery (HOLEP), which are associated with minimal side effects and quicker return to normal activities.
Patient case history 1: Businessman with urinary symptoms and enlarged prostate
Mr PD, 59, endured weeks of discomfort with severe waterwork symptoms, which were quite debilitating, often causing pain and distress. The symptoms caused a massive interruption to his daily work and social routines, making normal day-to-day life impossible to plan, including riding his motorcycle. He consulted Professor Shergill at Spire Yale Hospital, Wrexham, who recommended Urolift procedure for his enlarged prostate. The Urolift procedure requires no overnight stay, little need for catheterisation and has a significantly reduced risk of post-operative complications. Compared to more common surgery to treat an enlarged prostate, it also offers a quicker recovery and improved procedure safety, as well as preservation of sexual function. PD had Urolift done at 3pm and it took less than an hour. He was back in his hospital bed by 4pm and discharged the next day. PD quickly returned back on the two wheels of his Honda ST1300 at the weekend and he is now busy as ever running his family’s firm, during the week.
Patient case history 2: Carer who underwent Laser prostate surgery to allow him to become catheter free
Mr WR, 63, developed painful urinary retention, requiring emergency catheter placement and was advised he needed urgent prostate surgery. Whilst waiting for operation, he suffered with severe pain and discomfort, blockages and bypassing of his urinary catheter. So much so, that he was unable to care for his wife, who had several medical problems. After his consultation at Grosvenor Nuffield Hospital, Chester, Professor Shergill explained that WR would benefit from HOLEP Laser surgery, which allows a quick return to normal activities, as compared to other prostate surgeries (TURP). HOLEP Laser surgery typically requires one overnight stay in hospital, with shorter time for catheterisation and has a significantly reduced risk of post-operative complications. It is also associated with very low risk of needing further treatment in the future (1-2% overall risk, as compared to 1-2% per year with TURP operation). WR quickly underwent successful HOLEP Laser surgery (cancer was also excluded) and returned back quickly to caring for his wife. At his 6-week follow up with Professor Shergill he was proud to report he was “peeing like a little boy” again!