Patient reports of symptoms and quality of life following prostate surgery.

In the United States, prostate surgery, most often transurethral resection of the prostate, is a common treatment for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. For at least 80% of patients, this elective surgery reduces everyday symptoms associated with urination, and reduces the risk of episodes of acute retention, so that the quality of life is improved. However, there is considerable variability in the way symptoms affect patients. The potential value of surgery cannot be based solely on a symptom profile, but must include information about the patient's own response to those symptoms.