Progator
Prostate Ligation
in Seomyeon, Busan
📍 Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu, Busan | 🚇 Seomyeon Station Exit 5 | 🌐 English OK | ⚡ Local Anaesthesia Only
Progator (전립선결찰술) is a minimally invasive BPH treatment performed at Urogyn Men's Clinic in Seomyeon, Busan — small permanent implants physically retract enlarged prostate tissue without cutting, removing, or burning any tissue. No general anaesthesia. 15-30 minute procedure. Return to normal activity within 1-2 days. Preserves sexual function (99% antegrade ejaculation rate). English consultations.
Progator at Urogyn Seomyeon, Busan — minimally invasive BPH treatment using implants instead of tissue removal. 15-30 min local anaesthesia. 1-2 day recovery. Preserves ejaculation 99%. Ideal for moderate BPH (30-80mL prostate) wanting to avoid TURP, Rezum, or long-term medication. English OK.
Confidential · International patients welcome
What Is Progator Prostate Ligation?
Before Progator (left): compressed urethra due to enlarged prostate. After Progator (right): implants retract prostate tissue, opening the urethral passageway.
Progator (전립선결찰술 — prostatic urethral lift / prostate ligation) is a tissue-sparing minimally invasive treatment for BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia / enlarged prostate). Unlike traditional surgical approaches that cut, burn, or remove prostate tissue, Progator works through a fundamentally different mechanism: small permanent implants are precisely placed through the prostate lobes to mechanically pull back the tissue compressing the urethra. The prostate itself remains intact but is physically "held open," immediately relieving urinary obstruction.
The procedure belongs to the category of prostatic urethral lift (PUL) technologies — the same mechanistic class as UroLift. It represents a significant clinical advance because it addresses one of the oldest problems in BPH surgery: the trade-off between effective treatment and side effects. Traditional TURP surgery is highly effective at relieving BPH but causes retrograde ejaculation in 50-75% of patients and requires substantial recovery. Progator, by preserving all prostate tissue and avoiding electrocautery, maintains antegrade ejaculation in approximately 99% of patients — a dramatic improvement especially valued by sexually active men.
The Mechanism: Ligation, Not Removal
The word "ligation" (결찰) is key to understanding how Progator works. Ligation means tying, binding, or securing — in this case, securing the enlarged prostate tissue in a retracted position using small permanent implants. Each implant consists of an anchor placed in the outer prostate capsule, a tether, and a clip — positioned through a small needle passed via the urethra under cystoscopic visualisation. When the implant is deployed, it physically compresses the lateral prostate lobes outward, opening the prostatic urethra. Multiple implants (typically 4-6) are placed to achieve the desired degree of channel opening.
Why Choose Progator Over Other BPH Treatments?
Progator occupies a unique position in the BPH treatment landscape. It is more effective than medication (which only masks symptoms chemically), less invasive than TURP or Rezum (which destroy tissue), preserves sexual function better than any tissue-destructive approach, and offers durable 5+ year results. The trade-off is that it works best for specific anatomical situations — moderate prostate sizes (30-80mL), lateral lobe enlargement without significant median lobe, and men who are generally good surgical candidates. Your urologist will confirm anatomical suitability via cystoscopy at consultation.
The Progator Procedure — 4 Steps
The Progator procedure is performed cystoscopically (through the urethra) under local anaesthesia in four sequential steps. Total procedure time is 15-30 minutes. Same-day discharge.
Local Anaesthesia of Prostate
Local anaesthetic is applied directly to the enlarged prostate compressing the urethra — no general anaesthesia required.
Implant Insertion
Small implants are inserted to create open space in the compressed urethra, reversing the obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate.
Individualised Ligation
The ligation technique is tailored to each patient based on prostate size, shape, urethral length, and other anatomical factors.
Urethral Space Secured
The enlarged prostate is ligated (tied back), permanently securing the urethral channel and restoring normal urine flow.
The entire procedure is performed through the urethra — no incisions on the skin, no stitches, no catheter required for most patients. Patients walk out of the clinic 1-2 hours after the procedure ends.
3 Core Advantages of Progator
Sexual Function Preserved
Because no tissue is cut or destroyed, the anatomical structures critical to ejaculation and erection remain intact. Clinical evidence shows 99% preservation of antegrade ejaculation — compared to only 25-50% with TURP. Many patients resume sexual activity within 1 week.
Fast Recovery & No Catheter
Most patients return to normal activity within 1-2 days — the fastest recovery of any BPH procedure. No urinary catheter required for most cases (compared to 3-5 days with TURP). Return to work the next day. Mild discomfort for 3-5 days only.
Local Anaesthesia Only
Performed under local anaesthesia — no general anaesthesia required. This makes Progator accessible to elderly patients, those with cardiac or pulmonary disease, and patients who cannot tolerate or prefer to avoid general anaesthesia. Essentially painless throughout the procedure.
Progator vs Other BPH Treatments
Understanding how Progator compares to other BPH options helps you make an informed choice with your urologist. Each treatment has its place — Progator's unique value is minimising invasiveness while preserving sexual function.
When Progator is the optimal choice: moderate BPH (IPSS 8-20), prostate 30-80mL with lateral lobe dominance, sexually active men concerned about ejaculatory preservation, patients wishing to discontinue long-term medication, poor candidates for general anaesthesia, and those wanting the shortest possible recovery time.
Urogyn's 7-Point Care Standard
Cystoscopic Pre-Assessment
Direct visualisation of prostate anatomy to confirm Progator suitability before scheduling the procedure.
Individualised Implant Planning
Number, position, and depth of each implant calculated based on your specific prostate dimensions and symmetry.
Local Anaesthesia Only
No general anaesthesia required — accessible to elderly and medically complex patients with excellent safety.
Sexual Function Preservation
Anatomical landmark protection throughout — verumontanum, ejaculatory ducts, and neurovascular bundles preserved.
Sterile Cystoscopic Protocol
Surgical-grade sterility with single-use cystoscope sheaths and prophylactic antibiotic cover.
Same-Day Discharge
Walk-out within 1-2 hours of procedure end. Return to work the next day for most patients.
Structured Follow-Up
1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-procedure review with IPSS reassessment at each visit.
International Patient Support
English-language records, aftercare video, and WhatsApp follow-up available after you return home.
Is Progator Right for You?
✓ Ideal Progator Candidates
- Moderate BPH with IPSS 8-20 and bothersome LUTS symptoms
- Prostate volume 30-80mL with predominantly lateral lobe enlargement
- Sexually active men prioritising ejaculation preservation
- Patients wishing to discontinue long-term BPH medication
- Poor candidates for general anaesthesia (cardiac, pulmonary, elderly)
- Men needing the fastest possible recovery (back to work within 1-2 days)
- International patients seeking minimally invasive specialist treatment
⚠ Not Ideal Candidates — Consider TURP/Rezum
- Prostate volume over 80mL (Progator less effective at large volumes)
- Significant median lobe enlargement (requires different approach)
- Acute urinary retention currently requiring catheterisation
- Active urinary tract infection (must resolve first)
- Known prostate cancer or indeterminate elevated PSA (workup required first)
- Previous prostate surgery causing anatomical distortion
- Severe bleeding disorders without clearance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from international patients considering Progator prostate ligation in Busan, Korea.
What is Progator prostate ligation?
How is Progator different from TURP or Rezum?
Does Progator preserve sexual function?
How long does the procedure take and what is the recovery?
How long do Progator results last?
Who is a good candidate for Progator?
Is Progator done under general anaesthesia?
How much does Progator cost in Busan?
Book Your Progator
Consultation — English OK
Board-certified urologist in Seomyeon, Busan. 15-30 min procedure. Local anaesthesia. Return to work the next day. Preserve sexual function.