Surgery

Surgery for prostatitis may be needed to treat chronic bacterial prostatitis that does not respond to long-term antibiotic treatment and that causes repeated urinary tract infections. Surgery may be done to remove part of the prostate or to remove infected prostate stones (prostatic calculi). But this does not always cure the infection, and it may make the symptoms worse. Surgery is typically done only if all other treatments have failed.

Surgery choices

Surgical removal of part of the prostate to remove prostate stones or to treat an infection that does not respond to antibiotic treatment is called transurethral prostatectomy.

What to think about

This surgery may not cure prostatitis, because the surgery may not remove the portion of the prostate causing the problem.

Other Treatment

Prostatic massage

Prostatic massage for prostatitis ("milking" of the prostate by a doctor) is an old treatment that many doctors are beginning to use again because medicines do not always successfully cure prostatitis.

To massage your prostate, the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum and presses several times on your prostate. This may need to be done 2 or 3 times a week. Why this works is not certain, but it is believed that the massage helps open blocked ducts in the prostate, improving circulation and antibiotic penetration into the prostate.

Prostatic massage is not done for acute prostatitis, because it could cause the bacteria to spread from the prostate and cause a wider infection (sepsis).

Other treatments that may be helpful for chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, inflammatory or noninflammatory, include:

• Acupuncture.
• Biofeedback.
• Counseling.
• Relaxation techniques.