PVP Question

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Sammy - 05 Feb 2006 17:13 GMT

This question is out of ignorance...

As the urethra passes through the prostate, I assume it is walled in,
like a straw running through, i.e. a separated from the prostate by
tissue. When PVP is done, how does the laser reach the prostate
tissue? Does the beam pass through the wall of the urethra?

Also, do most people get a second opinion before agreeing to PVP?

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Dave C - 07 Feb 2006 03:31 GMT

A good question, probably best asked of a urologist if you want a technical
answer. I am not one, but my understanding is that the urethral wall and
prostate wall are essentially one and the same within the prostate.

PVP enlarges the urethral passage by removing the urethral/prostate tissue.
In other words, you get a new and enlarged urethra.

As far as a second opinion it never occurred to me to get one. Oddly enough I
never thought about it and considering my previous experiences with
urologists, I am surprised at myself. I'd be interested to know if others did.

I think in my case I was so relieved to find a urologist who said something
could be done about my weak stream that I jumped at the opportunity. I had it
done last April and have been very pleased with the outcome.

Best, Dave

>This question is out of ignorance...
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>Also, do most people get a second opinion before agreeing to PVP?

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Pete - 07 Feb 2006 20:35 GMT

> A good question, probably best asked of a urologist if you want a
> technical answer. I am not one, but my understanding is that the
> urethral wall and prostate wall are essentially one and the same
> within the prostate.

Dave (and Sammy)...I didn't get the OP from Sammy (probably my ISP again -
happens with certain posters), but I can read it below. I commented on this
several months ago, so will try again. A lot of people have a misconception
about the urethra (whether prostatic or the penis portion) being like a
straw or a blood vessel (ie, a separate pipe or channel). It is not. It is
formed by the prostate and the penis, and is just a channel running through
them - like drilling a hole in a bowling ball (the walls of the hole are the
bowling ball).

So when you all talk about PVP's or TURP's, they are merely removing tissue
that forms the prostatic urethra, and thus you have a bigger urethra or
channel left. There are other orifices in the body like this so to speak
(nose, ear, etc). The nasal passage or cavity is formed by a whole bunch of
stuff, but it is not a separate straw either (like a blood vessel is).

Just look at the opening in your penis, it is just a hole surrounded by
tissue. I used to have a misconception about this also (ie how can you
remove prostate tissue without cutting through the urethra). The answer is
the prostate is the urethra. Sorry I'm getting redundant and rambling
again. Take care :-) ...Pete

> PVP enlarges the urethral passage by removing the urethral/prostate
> tissue. In other words, you get a new and enlarged urethra.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>
>> Also, do most people get a second opinion before agreeing to PVP?

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