Considerations and Best Practices When Using the Prostatic Urethral Lift

In this segment, C. Shawn West, MD, a urologist with McIver Urological Clinic in Florida, provides a detailed overview of best practices for implementing the prostatic urethral lift (UroLift) in clinical practice. He describes a structured workflow beginning with symptom assessment and progressing through diagnostic evaluation, patient education, and timely procedural scheduling. This approach ensures that patients are well-informed and appropriately selected based on anatomical and clinical criteria.

West highlights the evolution of technique and patient selection over time, noting increased confidence in treating a wider range of prostate sizes and anatomical variations. He emphasizes the importance of intraoperative decision-making, particularly in determining implant number and placement, with a focus on achieving adequate bladder neck opening to optimize outcomes.

Technical precision is identified as critical to success. West advises maintaining consistent implant positioning, adopting a methodical pace, and minimizing tissue trauma to reduce postoperative irritative symptoms. He also outlines ideal candidate characteristics—particularly patients prioritizing preservation of sexual function—and reinforces the importance of individualized treatment planning rather than a uniform approach.