complications of TURP
Last edited 12/2018 and last reviewed 09/2022
Immediate - within 48 hours:
- primary haemorrhage
- septicaemia
- cardiovascular disturbance due to blood loss, transfusion
- electrolyte imbalance, particularly hyponatraemia, from excessive absorption of irrigant - "TUR" syndrome
Intermediate - within 14 days:
- secondary haemorrhage
- urinary tract infection
- chest infection
- deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Late:
- urinary incontinence - from permanent damage to bladder sphincter
- retrograde ejaculation - from disruption of the mechanism at the bladder neck that normally prevents entrance of semen into bladder during ejaculation; erection and orgasm are unaffected
- bladder neck contracture
- urethral stricture
- erectile dysfunction