Radical Prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy

        Radical prostatectomy is an operation in which the prostate gland is removed. It is indicated in localized prostate cancer, when the cancer has not invaded the other organs or the nearby cells. Radical prostatectomy can be realized by a classic cut or with the help of a laparoscope. The person on whom this kind of operation is performed should be kind of young as the surgery is recommended to men who are in a good general condition, who do not have heart problems and who can withstand anesthesia. In open radical prostatectomy, the prostate is removed from underneath the pubic bone. After the urethra is sewn to the neck of the bladed over a urinary catheter which is removed 2-3 weeks after the surgery.

       In laparoscopic prostatectomy the surgery is performed with the use of a laparoscope. In this case the doctor operates through in incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon makes one incision at the belly button and other 4 in the abdomen. The patient experiences less pain than in the open radical prostatectomy and also has a low risk of infection.

       For radical prostatectomy the anesthesia is regional. It requires between 10 and 15 day of hospitalization and the surgery lasts from 1, 5 hours to 4 hours but the full recovery may take up to 12 weeks. In radical prostatectomy the recovery takes longer, the patient is not allowed to make any effort for 3 months and also the patient mustn't have sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks after the surgery.

       After the operation there is no need for a special diet although one should avoid beans, alcohol and spices, the patient should not eat very much and should drink lots of liquids such as soups, teas and water.

       The risks of radical prostatectomy are: impotence, heart attacks, stokes, post-operative beading, death, incontinence. After the surgery the person in cause may suffer from urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunctions. In this case the patient experiences pain, recovers slowly and is predisposed to infections, which is why he must keep a strict hygiene. The period of recovery for radical prostatectomy is longer than in any other type of prostatectomy and it is very important that the patient does not make any effort in order to permit the wound to close and not to produce hernia at the area of incision. Also the patient can feel a discomfort when urinating. There are higher chances for open radical prostatectomy to lead to impotence as it most likely to damage the nerves.

       The person mustn't take aspirin before surgery as it causes excessive bleeding. It is also useful to donate blood with 2-3 weeks before the surgery in case you need a transfusion.