UroLift (Prostatic Urethral Lift)

What is UroLift?

In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the enlarged prostate lobes press on the urethra and obstruct the flow of urine. The UroLift System uses tiny implants — similar to window-curtain tie-backs — to lift and hold the lobes apart, so urine can flow more freely.

Unlike traditional prostate surgery, no prostate tissue is cut, heated or removed. This is why UroLift is associated with a quicker recovery and a low risk of sexual side effects. It has been cleared by the US FDA since 2013 and approved by the Thai FDA since February 2024.

Who may be suitable for UroLift?

• Men with bothersome urinary symptoms from BPH, including those who do not want to stay on medication or who experience side effects from it
• Men who place a high priority on preserving erectile and ejaculatory function
• Men with a prostate of suitable size and shape — generally up to about 100 grams — confirmed by ultrasound or cystoscopy
• Men who wish to avoid a hospital stay or a prolonged recovery

UroLift may not be suitable for very large prostates, certain prostate shapes (such as some obstructing middle lobes), active urinary infection, or bladder problems that need a different treatment. A full assessment is needed first.

How is the UroLift procedure performed?

1. Local anaesthesia, with or without light sedation, is used to keep you comfortable.
2. A slim cystoscope-based delivery device is passed through the urethra to the prostate.
3. Small implants are placed to retract the obstructing prostate lobes — usually a handful, depending on prostate size.
4. The device is removed. The procedure itself typically takes 15–30 minutes.

Most men go home the same day, and many do not need a urinary catheter afterwards.

How should I prepare?

• An assessment of symptoms, urine flow, bladder emptying and prostate size and shape
• A urine test to exclude infection
• A review of your medicines — particularly blood thinners — and instructions on whether to pause them
• A PSA test where appropriate, to consider prostate cancer before treatment

What are the potential benefits?

• Rapid relief of urinary symptoms, often within two weeks
• Preservation of erectile and ejaculatory function — in the pivotal L.I.F.T. randomised study, no new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction was reported
• Day procedure with a quick return to normal activities
• May allow men to stop BPH medication

What are the risks and side effects?

• Temporary burning, urgency, discomfort in the pelvis or blood in the urine — usually settling within two to four weeks
• Urinary infection or temporary difficulty passing urine — uncommon
• Symptom relief that is generally smaller than with resection or enucleation surgery
• A need for further treatment in some men over the following years as the prostate continues to grow

What are the alternatives?

Alternatives include continued medication, other minimally invasive therapies such as water vapour thermal therapy, and surgery such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or laser enucleation. The best option depends on prostate size, symptom severity and your priorities — see Enlarged prostate (BPH).

What is recovery like after UroLift?

Most men resume light activities within a few days. A follow-up appointment reviews your symptoms and urine flow. Because no catheter is usually needed and recovery is short, UroLift can suit international patients with a limited stay in Bangkok — your travel timing should still be confirmed with your urologist.

UroLift with Dr. Atip

Dr. Atip treats enlarged prostate with UroLift at the Urology Center of Bumrungrad International Hospital — the first hospital in Thailand to use UroLift technology — and is the author of the hospital's patient guide to the procedure. He will assess whether UroLift is a good fit for your prostate and goals, and explain how it compares with other options.

Dr. Atip was quoted on the introduction of UroLift at Bumrungrad in Thai Enquirer (opens in a new tab) (partner content, June 2024).