Prostatectomy Complications And Prostatectomy Pain

Prostatectomy complications and prostatectomy pain

        In case of prostatectomy there are several complications, they are more frequent in case of open prostatectomy and reduced in case of robotic prostatectomy.

       A prostatectomy complication is fecal fistula which is due to rectal injury which can be recognized and repaired at the time of the surgery.

       A very serious complication is deep venous thrombosis. It is very important that the patient should walk. The blood clots are very dangerous as they can cause heart attack and strokes.

       Another prostatectomy complication is hernia. The patient should not try to make any effort, to lift weights to practice sport such as cycling as this activities can be dangerous for them as they can lead to hernia at the site of the incision.

       After the surgery the patient has a high chance of become impotent due to nerve damage. Also the person can no longer produce semen which causes sub infertility. In case of robotic prostatectomy the nerves are likely probable to be damaged the surgery is very precise because of the 360 degree movements and the clear images.

       Another prostatectomy complication is the loss of blood which is present in open radical prostatectomy. The blood loss requires transfusion so before the surgery you may want to discuss this with your doctor. In case of robotic prostatectomy the patient does not need a transfusion. The patient may experience severe pain in case of open radical prostatectomy because the incisions are bigger than in any other prostatectomy.

       Major prostatectomy complications which also imply pain are infections. The patients should be very careful in the post operatory period at their hygiene, they should always be clean. Also at home they should empty the leg bag at every 2 hours, they should regularly wash the penis and the rectum, and they should also clean with water and soap the urethral opening. Another way of preventing infections is antibiotics. The patient may take antibiotics a week or two after the surgery.

       Another complication which involves pain is the separation of the skin and the incision line.

       The most common complications are:

• Hemorrhage which can require transfusion
• Urethra obstruction
• Lymphocele
• Displaced catheter
• Impotence
• Urinary incontinence
• Rectal injury which can require temporal colostomy
• Heart problems
• Chest infections
• Hernia

       Before the operation the patient should ask the doctor about possible complications and pain. What happens in each case, how he can deal with the problems that may appear. She should require information about each type of prostatectomy in order to choose what suits him best, the one that implies less complications and less pain.