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MDI Hospital Offers Laser Treatment for Enlarged Prostate

Men in the MDI region suffering from an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), now have a treatment available that avoids side effects and expense of medication, and the risks associated with invasive surgery.

Urologist Surapaneni Ramanadha Rao, MD has begun offering the minimally invasive surgical procedure known as GreenLight™ Laser Therapy for BPH at Mount Desert Island Hospital. BPH, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, affects more than half of all men over the age of 60.
 
GreenLight™ Laser Therapy uses laser energy to remove enlarged prostate tissue. A quick, outpatient procedure, GreenLight™ Laser Therapy delivers immediate and dramatic symptom relief without the side effects or expense of medication or the risks associated with invasive surgery.
 
“Men can now have a safe and effective surgical treatment for their enlarged prostate, with a much shorter recovery period than the standard operation,” said Dr. Rao.
 
Although BPH is a common health problem, many men lack awareness and do not understand the condition, its symptoms, treatment solutions and overall health risks that have been linked to delaying treatment. Common symptoms of BPH including frequent urination – especially at night; weak urine flow; pain or burning during urination; and starting or stopping during urination, and they can have an impact on quality of life.
 
Until now, treatment for BPH has been limited to medication or an invasive surgical procedure known as a TURP, transurethral resection of the prostate. Traditionally, TURP procedures have been associated with risks and complications, such as bleeding, incontinence, and possible impotence and typically require a several-day stay in a hospital and a four-to-six-week recovery period.
 
Dr. Rao also performs incontinence procedures with mesh implantation in female patients and he is one of only six physicians in Maine who performs robotic surgery for cancers of kidney and prostate.
 For more information on Dr. Rao’s practice, call 288-4177, or 288-5082, extension 7627.

“It’s such a beautiful race,” she said. “The scenery is breathtaking, and the crowd energy is amazing. My mom has come up both years to cheer me on, which also makes it really special.” Whether she’s racing along the island’s winding roads or venturing into Acadia’s trails, Caitlin has found that being outdoors recharges her and deepens her appreciation for the intersection between health, resilience, and nature, a passion that has inspired her next step.

After residency completion this year, Caitlin is pursuing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine, a field that perfectly blends her love for the outdoors with her dedication to emergency care. “Working at MDI Hospital has been an example of the merger between helping people in challenging environments and working closely in nature that I hope to experience during fellowship,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at MDI Hospital, Caitlin expressed deep gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her journey. “I plan to use the skills I have learned across my rotations at MDI Hospital going forward into my medical career so that I can provide great patient-centered care,” she said. “I will also remember the wonderful people I have met and cared for here who have helped shape my medical training to date.”

Whether running along the rugged coastline or responding to patients in the ED, Caitlin has found that MDI offers the perfect mix of challenge, inspiration, and community. It’s no surprise that for her, coming back to Mount Desert Island felt less like returning to a rotation, and more like coming home.

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MDI Hospital

MDI Hospital
10 Wayman Lane
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207.288.5081

At Mount Desert Island Hospital, we provide comprehensive care for you and your family through our hospital in Bar Harbor and a network of health centers across Mount Desert Island.