Examinations at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City revealed Mr. Binh had an 8 mm stone lodged in his prostatic urethra. Cystoscopy also showed an enlarged prostate.

Doctor Pham The Anh, a Level I Specialist from the Urology Department, Center for Urology - Nephrology - Andrology, noted that while the patient's prostate volume was not large, the recurrent enlarged tissue was concentrated in the urethra, obstructing nearly the entire bladder neck. This was the cause of his prolonged difficulty urinating. Doctor The Anh prescribed laser enucleation of the prostate to reduce both surgery and anesthesia time.

The team performed laser enucleation of the prostate in two lobes, then used a tissue morcellator to remove the enlarged tissue completely, without damaging the bladder neck or previous surgical scars. The 90-minute surgery was successful, with no bleeding, rapid tissue removal, and reduced complications.

Doctor The Anh (right) and Doctor Tran Huy Phuoc perform laser enucleation of the prostate for Mr. Binh. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Post-surgery, Mr. Binh recovered quickly, was discharged after three days, and had a follow-up appointment after two weeks to assess urinary tract function recovery.

Doctor The Anh explained that benign prostatic hyperplasia progresses with age, commonly affecting middle-aged and elderly men. Its prevalence is 50% in men over 50 and 80% in those over 80. The condition causes lower urinary tract symptoms such as nocturia, urinary urgency, difficulty urinating, incomplete bladder emptying, and urinary dribbling, which can lead to acute urinary retention. Mild cases often require only lifestyle adjustments and regular check-ups, with some patients receiving medical treatment. More severe cases necessitate surgical intervention.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia can recur over time, particularly in elderly individuals. Doctors recommend that patients who have had surgery but still experience symptoms like difficulty urinating or blood in urine should undergo hospital examination and cystoscopy to assess their condition and prevent recurrence.

Men should maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, limit red meat, avoid alcohol, coffee, and tobacco, drink 2.5-3 liters of water daily, exercise regularly, manage weight and stress, and not hold urine. Regular health check-ups, especially for men over 50, are crucial for prostate screening to detect the disease early.

Ha Thanh

*Patient's name has been changed