UroLift® treatment

Overview  /  FAQ

This proven, minimally invasive treatment for BPH fills the gap between prescription medications and more invasive surgical procedures.

The UroLift® System is a new, minimally invasive approach to treating BPH for patients looking for an alternative to drug therapy or more invasive surgery. It is a straightforward procedure that utilizes tiny implants to pin and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra. There is no cutting, heating or removal of prostate tissue.

The UroLift® System is clinically proven to be safe and effective and provides rapid symptom relief. Dr Coleman performs this outpatient procedure in the hospital as you are 100% comfortable and so is he. Most patients are asleep for less than 30 mins and are ready for discharge to home in about an hour after the procedure. A unique benefit of the UroLift® System is that it preserves a man’s sexual function. The goal is to relieve you of bothersome urinary symptoms so you can get back to your life and resume daily activities.

Enlarged prostate

An enlarged prostate can narrow or even block the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms.

Step one

The UroLift® delivery device is placed through the obstructed urethra to access the enlarged prostate.

Step two

Tiny UroLift® implants are permanently placed to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way and increase the opening of the urethra.

Step three

The UroLift® System treatment provides fast and reliable symptom relief by opening the obstructed urethra.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that the UroLift® procedure provides a similar level of symptom relief (compared with other BPH procedures), with fewer side effects. Most common side effects reported include mild blood in the urine, burning with urination, and urgency. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within one to two weeks after the procedure. Patients are started on a pill the day before the procedure to help relieve the burning with urination that may occur and usually only need that for a few days.

For more information about UroLift® System treatment, contact us or see our frequently asked questions below.

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about our services

The UroLift® System is a new minimally invasive treatment designed to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The UroLift® System consists of a delivery device and tiny permanent implants. FDA cleared in 2013, this unique technology works by directly opening the urethra with tiny implants that hold the enlarged tissue out of the way, like tiebacks on a window curtain. No cutting, heating, or ablating tissue is involved, making the UroLift® System the first and only BPH treatment that does not remove prostate tissue and does not negatively impact a man’s sexual function.

The UroLift® System is a new treatment option for BPH patients who are looking for an alternative to drugs or major surgery. You may be considering a TURP/Laser treatment, or are unhappy with or have stopped taking medications. The UroLift® System is appropriate for patients seeking a minimally invasive treatment and are concerned about preserving their sexual function and their quality of life.

If you and your doctor decide that the UroLift® System treatment is right for you, your doctor will provide the specific, detailed information relating to your condition. In general, the UroLift® System is a minimally invasive treatment that entails minimal downtime. Your doctor will use the UroLift® delivery device to deploy permanent implants to relieve obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate that is pressing on your urethra. The procedure may be performed under local or general anesthesia and you may be given medication to feel comfortable during the treatment. Typically, no catheter and no overnight stay is required post-treatment.

After the treatment, almost all patients go home the same day without a catheter. There is minimal downtime post-treatment and many patients experience symptom relief in as early as 2 weeks. Patients may experience some urinary discomfort during the recovery period. Most common adverse events reported include frequency and urgency, which typically resolve in the first week after the procedure. Your doctor will discuss with you how quickly you can return to your normal physical activities.

Sexual function has been preserved among the hundreds of patients treated in our clinical studies and in tens of thousands treated over the last 5 yrs. This is a unique benefit of the UroLift® System treatment compared with other BPH therapies such as TURP, laser, and even medication.

The UroLift® Implant is a permanent implant, and the treatment is intended to be permanent. Durability has been shown to at least 5 years in U.S. clinical data. One unique aspect of the UroLift® System is that it does not preclude retreatment or other BPH treatments, should that be needed and desired in the future.

The implant is made up of standard surgical implantable materials: a nitinol capsular tab, a stainless steel urethral tab, and polyester suture that holds the two tabs together. Your doctor can simply remove the implant, if needed. The suture can be cut and the urethral endpiece can be retrieved with a standard grasper. The capsular tab will remain outside the prostate capsule in place.

The primary contraindications are a large obstructive or protruding median lobe of the prostate into the bladder and a prostate with a volume of >100cc.

The UroLift® Implant is MR Conditional. It can be safely scanned in an MR system meeting the following condition: Static magnetic field of 1.5 Tesla or 3.0 Tesla or less, only and all of the currently used MRI’s are 3.0 machines.

No. The implants are placed on the anterior (front) side of the prostate, and a DRE is conducted on the posterior (back) side of the prostate. The implants are not expected to interfere in a DRE.

Over 600 patient-years of clinical data has been presented in peer-reviewed publications to date demonstrating that the UroLift® System is safe and effective. Clinical studies have been conducted in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia. To learn more about the clinical data available, visit our publications page.

The first step is to make an appointment with your urologist to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the treatment. Your physician’s office staff can work with you and your health plan to learn more about your healthcare benefits specific to the UroLift® implant procedure.

All Medicare carriers are covering the Urolift system with some plans requiring the urologist to perform various tests before the procedure. Others are determining coverage on a case by case basis. Your physician’s office staff can provide more information. If your UroLift® System treatment claim is denied by Medicare, you have the right to appeal; your physician’s office may appeal the decision on your behalf. Please discuss this potential option with your physician.

A urologist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diseases of the urinary system and sex organs, uses the UroLift® System to treat urinary symptoms due to BPH. The urologist completes comprehensive training prior to using the UroLift® System. Find a UroLift® System doctor.

The UroLift® System is available in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia.