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Definition
| Reasons for Procedure
| Possible Complications
| What to Expect
| Call Your Doctor
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Definition
A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove the prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system.
It makes and stores seminal fluid (a milky fluid that forms part of semen). The gland is below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra (tube that urine flows out through) runs through the prostate.
The procedure may be:
- Simple prostatectomy—removal of prostate only
- Radical
prostatectomy—removal of prostate and some surrounding tissue
Reasons for Procedure
-
Simple prostatectomy—This may be done to relieve urinary symptoms from a noncancerous condition like
benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). BPH is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate. It can cause problems urinating as it puts pressure on the urethra.
-
Radical prostatectomy—This may be done to remove a prostate gland containing
cancer
.
Possible Complications
If you are planning to have a prostatectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
-
Inability to control urinary stream (
incontinence
)
-
Inability to get an erection (
impotence
) and other sexual difficulties
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Sterility
- Injury to the rectum or other nearby structures
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam
- Blood and urine tests
-
Chest
x-ray
- Electrocardiogram
(ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
- Ultrasound
—a test that uses sound waves to visualize the inside of the body
- Bone scan
or
CT scan
,
if your doctor is concerned about a spreading cancer
Leading up to the procedure:
-
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- The night before, have a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Anesthesia
General
or spinal anesthesia
will be used. With general anesthesia, you will be asleep. Spinal anesthesia will make a section of your body numb.
Description of Procedure
The procedure can be done as an open,
laparoscopic
, or
robot-assisted
surgery.
Simple Prostatectomy
Simple (Open) Prostatectomy
The doctor makes an incision in the lower abdomen to access the prostate. The doctor removes the inner part of your prostate gland. This procedure is not as common in the United States. It is considered when you have a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.
Radical Prostatectomy
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy
The doctor makes a cut in the lower abdomen between the navel and pubic bone. This allows him to access the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes. The doctor detaches the prostate from the bladder and urethra. The urethra is then re-attached to the bladder. The doctor will try to preserve nerve function related to bladder function and erections. In some cases, the doctor will remove lymph node tissue for testing before deciding to continue with surgery.
Perineal Radical Prostatectomy
The doctor makes a cut in the skin between your anus and your scrotum. He then removes your prostate. This type of surgery is less common since it does not allow access to the lymph nodes. There is a higher risk of nerve damage with this procedure.
Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALRP)
The doctor makes five small, keyhole incisions in the abdomen for robotic arms, including one with a small camera (laparoscope). This gives him a wider and more flexible range of motion. A doctor sits at a console and guides the robotic arms during the surgery. With these arms, he can cut out the prostate and other tissue. Benefits include less scarring.
After Procedure
A catheter tube will be inserted to drain your bladder.
Water may be flushed through the catheter to reduce blood in the urine. The catheter may be left in place for up to 3 weeks. This will let you urinate more easily during the healing period. After a radical prostatectomy, a
drain
may be left in place to help fluid drain from the surgery site.
How Long Will It Take?
- Simple prostatectomy—2-4 hours
- Radical prostatectomy—2-4 hours
Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You can expect some pain and discomfort for:
- 7-10 days after open surgery
- 3-4 days after laparoscopic surgery
Average Hospital Stay
The usual length of stay is 2-3 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
Post-procedure Care
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
-
Take medicines as directed.
-
Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent infection and/or stool softeners to prevent
constipation
.
- You may need to take a medicine for several weeks to normalize your bladder function.
-
For a while, you may need prescription pain medicines. You will then be switched to non-prescription pain relievers (eg,
acetaminophen
) as needed. Avoid taking
aspirin
or aspirin-containing products.
-
When resting in bed, keep legs elevated and moving. This will help to prevent
blood clots
from forming in your legs.
- To promote healing, resume normal activities as soon as possible.
- Drink plenty of liquids. It will help to clear your bladder of urine and blood.
- Shower as usual. Avoid baths until the incision has healed completely.
- Wash the incision gently with mild soap and water.
- Do not drive unless your doctor has given you permission to do so. You may need to wait up to one month.
- Avoid vigorous exercise for six weeks after surgery.
- Resume sexual activity when able.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, or any other food or drink that might aggravate your stomach, intestines, bladder, or urinary tract.
-
Be sure to follow your doctor’s
instructions
.
Complete healing from surgery usually occurs within six weeks.
Call Your Doctor
After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
- Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medications you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
- Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
- Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
- Poor drainage from Foley catheter
- Abdominal swelling or pain
- Cough
, shortness of breath, or chest pain,
- Headaches, muscle aches, dizziness, or general ill feeling
- Constipation
- New, unexplained symptoms
- Drainage from your incision
In case of an emergency,
call 911
.
Last reviewed July 2010 by Adrienne Carmack, MD
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