Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery

What is Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery?
Laparoscopic prostate surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a diseased prostate affected by cancer. The surgical incisions are tiny, and through these incisions a laparoscope, which is an endoscopic device with a camera attached to it, is inserted along with other surgical tools that are used during the surgery. Bleeding is much less during the surgery and the patient does not take a very long time to recover after an endoscopic prostate surgery.

How is Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery Performed?

• The surgeon injects a small needle below the patient's navel and inside the abdomen.
• Carbon dioxide gas is passed through this needle into the abdomen.
• The gas inflates the abdominal cavity and in this way the surgeon can see inside the abdominal cavity clearly during the surgery.
• A small incision is made near the navel and a laparoscope is inserted through it. The laparoscope transmits the picture of the prostate on a monitor.
• The surgeon examines the abdominal cavity to ensure that there are no symptoms of infection or any disease inside the abdomen. The surgery will not be continued if the surgeon finds these symptoms.
• A few other tiny incisions measuring about five to 10 millimeters are made on the lower abdomen.
• Surgical tools are inserted through these incisions and the prostate may be removed.
• After the surgery is over, the incision is closed.

How to Prepare for Laparoscopic Prostate Surgery?

• The patient is physically examined to ensure that the patient is in a good condition to undergo surgery.
• The patient needs to give some tests like blood and urine analysis, X-ray, electrocardiogram, and lung function tests.
• The doctor should be informed about any medication that the patient is taking with or without a prescription. These may include supplements or herbs or drugs.
• Certain medication that the patient is taking may be stopped two weeks before the surgery.
• The doctor should be informed if the patient has any ailments or medical conditions.
• The patient must stop smoking to ensure a quick recovery.
• The patient may be required to take laxative medicine on the evening ahead of the surgery if the patient's intestine needs to be cleaned.

How much time is required?

The hospital stay is for about 2-3days.

What type of anesthesia will be given?

General anesthesia

How will patient recover?

Risks of anesthesia include:
- Breathing difficulty
- Allergic reaction to medication
Risks of prostate surgery include:
- Incontinence
- Impotence
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Infection

What should be cared?

- The patient is encouraged to move around after the surgery.
- The patient should avoid lifting and pushing heavy objects.
- The patient should avoid straining the abdominal muscles by doing exercises like sit-ups.