International Patients: Prostate Surgery in Madrid with Dr. Gómez Sancha

Dr. Fernando Gómez Sancha · Medical Director, ICUA · Clínica CEMTRO, Madrid, Spain
Last updated: March 2026

If you are reading this from outside Spain and considering where to have your prostate surgery, you have probably done a fair amount of research already. Perhaps you have a very large prostate and your urologist has recommended open surgery. Perhaps you have been offered a TURP but have read that retreatment is common. Or perhaps you simply want access to one of the most experienced HoLEP surgeons in the world, and your search has led you here.

At ICUA, we have been receiving patients from around the world for over 15 years. We have developed a streamlined process so that coming to Madrid for surgery is straightforward, safe, and free of surprises.

Why patients from around the world choose ICUA

The short answer: experience, technique, and results.

• Over 10,000 HoLEP procedures performed by Dr. Gómez Sancha — one of the largest individual series in the world.
• A proprietary technique published in peer-reviewed journals: en bloc enucleation with early apical release, with verifiable results in 754 consecutive patients.
• International training reference centre: over 400 urologists from 60+ countries have trained in our technique at ICUA.
• Dedicated team: multilingual coordination, preoperative video consultation, fixed all-inclusive quote before you travel.
• Clínica CEMTRO: a leading private hospital in Madrid with state-of-the-art technology.

But beyond the numbers, what our international patients value most is direct communication with the surgeon throughout the entire process. At ICUA, you speak directly with Dr. Gómez Sancha during your preoperative video consultation. Not with an intermediary, not with a call centre.

The process step by step

Step 1 — First contact and medical records
You write to us by email or WhatsApp. You send your medical records: prostate ultrasound (with volume), blood test with PSA, flowmetry if available, and any additional investigations. Our team reviews the documentation and confirms whether you are a candidate for HoLEP.

Step 2 — Video consultation with Dr. Gómez Sancha
A 20–30 minute video consultation in which we review your tests together, I explain which technique is most appropriate for your case, answer all your questions, and set realistic expectations about the outcomes.

Step 3 — Fixed quote and planning
We send you a detailed, fixed quote that includes everything: surgery, anaesthesia, hospital stay, disposable materials, histopathology, and follow-up. No hidden extras. Our coordinator, Vanesa Cuadros, helps with travel planning: surgery dates, accommodation near the clinic, and logistics.

Step 4 — Arrival in Madrid and surgery
We recommend arriving the day before surgery. The operation is performed at Clínica CEMTRO. Most patients stay one night in hospital and return to their hotel the following day with their urinary catheter in place.

Step 5 — Recovery in Madrid (5–7 days)
The catheter is removed at a follow-up visit a few days later. We perform a control flowmetry and ensure everything is in order before you return home. Madrid is a comfortable city for recovery: good weather, excellent food, and your hotel will be minutes from the clinic.

Step 6 — Remote follow-up
Once you are home, we follow up by video consultation. We provide a comprehensive clinical report in your language and a detailed medical invoice to facilitate reimbursement from your insurer or healthcare system.

Practical information

Getting to Madrid

Madrid-Barajas Airport has direct flights to and from all major European cities, the Middle East, Latin America, and many destinations in Asia and North America. Clínica CEMTRO is in north-west Madrid, well connected by public transport and surrounded by several hotels within a short distance. We can recommend nearby accommodation with special rates for patients.

Languages

Dr. Gómez Sancha is fluent in Spanish and English. Coordination with Vanesa Cuadros and the ICUA team is available in Spanish, English, and for many patients, Portuguese. For other languages, we arrange translation assistance as needed.

Cost and billing

The quote is fixed and in euros. It includes everything needed for surgery and initial postoperative follow-up. We issue a detailed medical invoice and a comprehensive clinical report to facilitate reimbursement in your country. The cost of HoLEP in Spain is significantly lower than in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or the Gulf states, with outcomes comparable to or better than leading international centres.

Do I need a visa?

Citizens of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most Latin American countries do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days in Spain. For patients who do require one, we provide medical documentation to support the visa application.

Common questions from international patients

How long do I need to stay in Madrid?

Plan for 5–7 days in total: arrive the day before surgery, one night in hospital, and 3–5 days at a hotel while we monitor your recovery and remove the catheter. Most patients fly home comfortably within a week of surgery.

Can my partner or family come with me?

Absolutely. Many patients travel with their partner. Madrid offers plenty for a companion to do while you recover — it is one of Europe's great cities for food, culture, and walking. Some couples treat the trip as a short holiday once the medical part is complete.

What if something goes wrong after I return home?

Complications after HoLEP are rare, but we are always available. You will have direct contact with our team by email and WhatsApp. If a situation arises that requires in-person attention, we coordinate with a local urologist in your area or arrange your return to Madrid if necessary. In over 15 years of treating international patients, this has been an exceptional occurrence.

My prostate is very large — can I still have HoLEP instead of open surgery?

This is one of the most common reasons international patients come to us. Many have been told they need open surgery because their prostate is over 100, 150, or even 200 grams. In our experience, prostate size is not a limitation for HoLEP — in fact, larger prostates often benefit the most from enucleation. Our published series includes prostates well over 200 grams, all operated endoscopically with excellent outcomes.

A personal note: Receiving a patient who has travelled from another country to be operated by me is an enormous responsibility. That person has placed their trust not only in my medical judgement but has also left their home, their family, and their support network to put themselves in my hands. I take that trust very seriously, and the care our international patients receive reflects that commitment.

Are you outside Spain and want to know if HoLEP is right for you?

Send us your medical records and we will respond within 48 hours with an initial assessment.
📞 +34 91 435 28 44 · ✉ icua@icua.es
WhatsApp: +34 91 435 28 44

Scientific references

1. Iscaife A, Rodríguez Socarrás M, Talizin TB, et al. Contemporary results of En Bloc HoLEP for large prostates. World J Urol. 2025;43:401. PubMed
2. Saitta G, Becerra JEA, Del Álamo JF, et al. 'En Bloc' HoLEP with early apical release. World J Urol. 2019;37:2451-2458. PubMed
3. Gauhar V, Gómez Sancha F, Enikeev D, et al. Results from a global multicenter registry of 6193 patients (REAP). World J Urol. 2023;41:3033-3040. PubMed

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→ What Is HoLEP? A Complete Guide to Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate → HoLEP Prostate Surgery: What to Expect Before, During and After → Finding the Best HoLEP Surgeon: What to Look for and Why Experience Matters → How Much Does HoLEP Surgery Cost? Factors That Affect the Price