 [ Symptoms ] what is a turp i was told yesterday by a cardiologist that a turp is the removal of the prostate i know that is not accurate can you explain why he thought that [ Disease ] most helpful answer it is not the removal of the prostate but more of a roto rooter if the prostate while the patient is under anesthesia a cystoscope is inserted in the urethra to the prostate using a laser or other special device the prostate tissue is literally shaved off to increase the size of the lumen