What is the Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser-Induced Prostatectomy (TULIP) procedure?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 22, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

The TULIP procedure is not a recommended treatment option for male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) according to the 2023 European Association of Urology guidelines. The guidelines provide recommendations for various surgical treatments for LUTS, including transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), laser resection, and enucleation of the prostate, but do not mention the TULIP procedure as a viable option 1.

Key points to consider:

  • The guidelines recommend offering bipolar or monopolar TURP to surgically treat moderate-to-severe LUTS in men with prostate size of 30–80 ml 1.
  • Laser resection of the prostate using Tm:YAG laser (ThuVARP) is recommended as an alternative to TURP, but with a weak strength rating 1.
  • Other alternatives, such as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and bipolar transurethral enucleation of the prostate, are also recommended, but with varying strength ratings 1.

Important considerations:

  • The TULIP procedure is not mentioned in the guidelines, suggesting that it may not be a widely accepted or recommended treatment option for LUTS.
  • The guidelines emphasize the importance of considering the patient's prostate size, symptoms, and medical history when selecting a treatment option 1.
  • Patients should be informed about the risks and benefits of each treatment option, including the potential for bleeding, infection, and long-term outcomes 1.

From the Research

Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser-Induced Prostatectomy (TULIP) Procedure

There are no research papers to assist in answering this question. The provided studies do not mention the TULIP procedure.

  • The studies provided discuss various other medical procedures, including Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP) 2, the "UFO" procedure 3, invasive procedures in general 4, Transurethral Incision of the Bladder Neck (TUI-BN) 5, and treatments for stress urinary incontinence 6.
  • None of these studies provide information about the TULIP procedure, its effectiveness, or its applications.
  • As a result, it is not possible to provide a detailed description of the TULIP procedure based on the available evidence.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.