Urinary Incontinence After Prostate Surgery on the Rise in Maharashtra

Expert Raise Alarm Over Post TURP Complications Among Ageing Men 

Kolhapur – A silent yet distressing complication is increasingly affecting ageing men in Maharashtra urinary incontinence following prostate surgery, or what experts refer to as post-TURP incontinence.

TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) is the most commonly performed surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that obstructs urine flow. While effective in relieving symptoms like frequent urination and poor stream, TURP may come with an unintended cost the loss of bladder control in a significant proportion of patients.

“Incontinence is more than a urinary problem it affects self-esteem, independence, and quality of life,” says Dr. Rajiv Kore, MS, MCh (Urology), DNB (Urology), FRCS, FACS. “We’re now seeing a growing number of men, especially those between 60 and 69,[i] who experience some form of urinary leakage after TURP. The numbers in Maharashtra are far higher than what national estimates suggest.”

While studies across India report an average 7%[ii] rate of post-TURP incontinence, experts believe this figure underrepresents the real picture in states like Maharashtra. Last year, a study conducted at a major hospital in Mumbai revealed that 36.4%[iii] of TURP patients developed urinary incontinence post-surgery a finding that has triggered concern among urologists and healthcare providers.

“In many cases, the external urinary sphincter, which controls urine flow, becomes weakened or irritated during surgery. This leads to symptoms ranging from stress incontinence to constant dribbling,” explains Dr. Kore. “Unfortunately, patients often dismiss it as normal ageing or are too embarrassed to report it.”

According to estimates from clinical practice and hospital observations, nearly one in four men undergoing TURP in Maharashtra may be affected, especially those in the higher-risk 60+ age group. With the number of prostate surgeries rising steadily due to greater awareness and longer life expectancy, post-TURP incontinence is fast becoming a public health concern.

The issue is particularly relevant for tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Kolhapur, where many patients undergo surgery without structured follow-up support.

“It’s time we redefined what success looks like in prostate surgery,” adds Dr. Kore. “For too long, we’ve judged outcomes based on the immediate relief of urinary symptoms. But when a man has to live with chronic leakage, social embarrassment, or even depression because of post-operative incontinence, that’s not a success it’s a silent burden. We need to shift our focus to complete recovery, which includes preserving continence, educating patients about risk, and ensuring access to post-surgery rehabilitation. This is not just a urological issue, it’s a quality-of-life issue. And the first step to addressing it is awareness both among patients and healthcare providers.”

There is now a growing call among urologists to include continence outcomes in surgical success parameters and to raise awareness about this complication not just in hospital OPDs, but also in public health discourse.[iv]

If addressed early, post-TURP incontinence can often be managed or reversed. But silence only delays recovery. And in this case, timely conversation may be as important as clinical intervention.