An improved instrument for and method of performing a transurethral balloon dilatation procedure of the prostate is disclosed. The instrument includes a hollow catheter (20) comprising a shaft (22) having at least its distal end portion made of an optically transparent material, and a substantially non-compliant, inflatable, optically transparent balloon (34) attached at the distal end portion of the catheter (20) and sized to dilate the prostatic urethra so as to post-operatively open that passageway. The catheter (20) is provided with at least one suitable marking (60) so as to indicate at least the location where the proximal end of the balloon (34) is attached to the catheter body. Preferably, the marking (60) is provided at a location that when positioned at visible landmarks, preferably the external sphincter, or the apex or verumontanum of the prostate, the balloon (34) will be correctly positioned relative to the external sphincter muscle at the apex of the prostate. The shaft (22) of the catheter is dimensioned so that a standard viewing instrument such as an optic (70) of a commercially available endoscope can be moved through the shaft (22) and utilized to locate the balloon (34) relative to the relevant anatomical landmarks of the prostate before and during the dilatation procedure.
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