What is Prostatectomy?
Prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove a diseased prostate gland. Prostatectomy can also be done to remove an enlarged prostate gland. This is known as simple prostatectomy. When a prostatectomy is performed to treat prostate cancer, it is known as radical prostatectomy.
Prostatectomy may be performed by an open surgery method or by laparoscopy. Laparoscopic prostatectomy may be performed either manually or by using robotic approach. This type of laparoscopy is known as robot-assisted prostatectomy.
What are the different methods of Prostatectomy?
How to Prepare for Prostatectomy?
How much time is required?
The procedure requires only 3-4 hours and the hospital stay is for about 2-3 days.
What type of anesthesia will be given?
Spinal, epidural or general anesthesia
How will patient recover?
- The dressing is frequently changed for a proper drainage.
- If drainage tubes are used, they will be removed in two days after the surgery.
- A urinary catheter will be attached for five to 14 days after the patient's discharge.
- After the surgery, the patient's penis and scrotum will be swollen for four to seven days.
- Pain medication may be provided, which is delivered by an epidural or an intravenous method. Oral pain medication will be prescribed after the patient is discharged.
What should be cared?
- To prevent pneumonia, the patient may be required to use an incentive spirometer that helps in deep breathing.
- To prevent blood clots the patient needs to walk and do some leg exercises.
- The patient may be allowed to take liquid diet after the surgery and later solid food is allowed.
- The patient can take sponge baths before the dressings are removed.
- After the dressings are removed, the patient may start taking showers.
- The incision area should not be scrubbed while bathing.
- The patient should avoid lifting heavy objects for three weeks after the surgery.
- The patient can do some light physical exercises such as walking and jogging.
- Abdominal exercises and cycling should not be done for six weeks after the surgery.
- Once the catheter is removed, the patient can start driving.
- The catheter should be cleaned twice a day and the urine bag should be emptied frequently. The bag should be placed in a level that is lower than the patients' bladder.
- The doctor will teach the patient how to do some exercises to strengthen the bladder muscles, which helps in managing incontinence. If the patient is not able to regain control by six months, the doctor should be consulted.
- Skin rashes may occur due to urinary incontinence. The patient needs to consult the doctor and use some skin barrier or ointments to ease the symptoms.
- The patient is required to take high amounts of water and include roughage in the diet to manage constipation.
- The patient can consult the doctor to manage impotence.
The doctor should be consulted immediately if the following symptoms are detected:
- pain while urinating
- swelling of feet or legs