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Michaël Peyromaure (urologist)
Official announcement from Buckingham Palace on Wednesday January 17: King Charles III will be operated on next week for benign prostatic hypertrophy. What does this operation consist of? The answers from Professor Michael Peyromaure, urologist and head of the urology department at Cochin hospital in Paris.
King Charles III, 75, will be operated on for benign prostatic hypertrophy next week. In the official statement from Buckingham Palace, dated January 17, it is written that “His Majesty’s condition is mild and he will go to hospital next week for surgery“.
The official document adds: “Like thousands of men every year, the king consulted for a enlarged prostate. His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will be heading to hospital next week for a corrective procedure.”.
What is benign prostatic hypertrophy?
To understand this pathology and its operation, Doctissimo contacted Professor Michael Peyromaure, urologist and head of the urology department at Cochin hospital in Paris. “There prostate is a male gland, which enlarges over time. When it is on the outskirts, it does not cause a problem. On the other hand, when it is the center of the gland, this gradually reduces the diameter of the urethra (which passes through its center) and hinders urination – the act of urinating – in the patient. first explains the specialist.
The enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hypertrophy or adenoma, is a pathology which is not life-threatening, “to be clearly distinguished from Prostate cancer“ adds Michael Peyromaure.
What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
The prostate therefore gradually enlarges and causes difficulty in completely emptying the bladder in the patient concerned. “The stream of urine is thinner, the bladder empties less well and forces the patient to urinate several times a day, but also at night” says the doctor.
There is also a risk of post-urination urine residue and the stagnation of this urine can become infected. “It can also have the formation of crystals by the sedimentation of the remaining urine and in the most serious cases (which we hardly encounter today). The infection can spread to the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.”
Monitoring, treatment then surgery if necessary
“When prostate growth is not bothersome, simple monitoring is enough. Then when it becomes moderately bothersome, we can prescribe a treatment which aims to reduce the size of the gland or to separate the banks which surround the urethra, to improve bladder emptying. the specialist further explains.
Over time, if the effectiveness of the treatment also disappears or if complications arise, surgery should be considered. “It is rare these days that we open the bladder to access the prostate. We go through the natural channels – the urethra – to remove the excess gland, leaving the envelope. Laser vaporization allows the adenoma to be removed and an internal cavity to be created which will allow urine to pass through“.
What are the risks ?
Like any operation, there are two main risks, which are bleeding and infection. “In fragile patients due to their age or state of health, the operation may cause urinary leakage but it is quite rare. The patient may also experience retrograde ejaculation, with semen flowing backward into the bladder and mixing with urine, instead of being expelled through the urethra.” reports Michael Peyromaure.
The operation, very common, lasts between thirty minutes and two hours, with discharge the next day or within 48 hours after the surgical procedure. For King Charles III, his commitments were postponed for “a short period of convalescence”.
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