What is a prostatectomy?
A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing all or part of your prostate. Your prostate is a tiny gland in the male reproductive system. It surrounds the urethra, the channel through which semen (ejaculate) and urine (pee) exit the body. It adds more fluid to your ejaculate.
During ejaculation, fluid (semen) from your prostate enters the urethra, and when you orgasm, the muscles around the urethra contract to force the semen out.
How many types of prostatectomy are there?
There are two main forms of prostatectomy.
Simple prostatectomy.
Your prostate gland is divided into two parts: an inner section that expands with age, and an outside portion that forms a capsule. The interior area resembles the fruit of an orange, while the outer portion resembles the peel of an orange. A simple prostatectomy involves a surgeon making a vertical cut (incision) in your lower abdomen and removing the inner portion of your prostate through the cut while keeping the outside portion intact. They remove the inside portion in the same manner you would eat an orange. They scoop away the core piece but leave the outer portion intact.
They may also do the surgery laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery is a less intrusive procedure than standard open surgery. The surgeon will make two to four small incisions in your belly, each measuring half an inch or less. Next place a small rod with a camera at the end (a laparoscope) into one of your incisions to see inside. They introduce surgical tools into the remaining incisions and then remove the inner area of your prostate.
Radical prostatectomy
A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that removes your entire prostate gland. They frequently remove the fat and tissues surrounding your prostate as well. These may include seminal vesicles (glands that aid in ejaculation) and lymph nodes. The surgeon next stitches your urethra to your bladder and cuts the vas deferens, the tube that transfers sperm from your testicles to your urethra. Your surgeon may conduct a radical prostatectomy either openly or laparoscopically. An open radical prostatectomy involves the physician making a vertical incision between your belly button and pubic bone to remove your prostate.
A laparoscopic radical prostatectomy involves the physician making numerous small incisions and inserting a laparoscope to examine inside your body. They place surgical tools into the remaining incisions. You might be a candidate for a robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. This is a robotically assisted surgery. Your surgeon “pilots” a robot’s limbs, allowing them to manoeuvre far more precisely in difficult-to-reach places of your body. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are both less invasive than open prostatectomy.
Some patients may be suitable for a single-port radical prostatectomy. This is a robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in which the instruments enter through a single tiny incision in the lower abdomen. It is a more recent method than traditional laparoscopic prostatectomy and robotic radical prostatectomy, which require incisions. It’s also less intrusive, leads to a faster recovery, and leaves less scarring. However, because this is a relatively new technique, it may not be available in all hospitals.
Is a prostatectomy considered significant surgery?
Yes, most healthcare providers consider a prostatectomy to be a major surgery. A surgeon will surgically remove some or all of your prostate. Certain surgical techniques are less invasive than others. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure they prescribe and why.
Although prostatectomy is a significant surgery, doctors believe it is safe for patients who are healthy enough to have surgery without major heart or lung problems.
Who needs a prostatectomy?
To treat prostate cancer confined to the prostate in men and persons assigned male at birth, healthcare providers typically recommend a radical prostatectomy (AMAB). If you have a condition that causes your urethra to obstruct and affects how you pee, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the Best Urology doctor in Dubai may consider a simple prostatectomy.
How common are prostatectomies?
Prostatectomies are a highly common procedure for prostate cancer that has not progressed beyond the prostate. Each year, healthcare providers in the United States perform approximately 90,000 prostatectomies. Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy in men and people with AMAB, following skin cancer. It affects around one in every eight men, with an average age of 66.
Procedure Details:
What happens before the prostatectomy?
You will meet with a healthcare provider before having a prostatectomy. The provider will discuss the best type of prostatectomy operation for you. You may undergo either a basic or radical prostatectomy. The provider will evaluate your overall health. They’ll also check your vital signs (temperature, pulse, and blood pressure). Inform your healthcare practitioner about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are using. Herbal supplements are among these.
Aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, certain herbal supplements, and blood thinners can all raise your chances of bleeding. Before surgery, you may need to temporarily discontinue some medications. Before discontinuing any drugs, consult with your healthcare provider.
What exactly happens during a prostatectomy?
A prostatectomy will be performed by a well-trained team of healthcare experts. The team usually includes:
A urologist.
An anesthesiologist.
Nurses.
The anesthesiologist will use general anaesthesia to subdue you. During the process, you will be unconscious, unable to move, and experiencing no pain. A provider will install a urinary catheter after you have gone under. A urinary catheter is a short, flexible tube that drains urine from the bladder into a bag. The process differs depending on whether you have an open or robotic prostatectomy.
What is the recovery time?
After an open prostatectomy, most patients can resume normal activities within eight weeks. A robotic prostatectomy typically leads to a speedier recovery. Most patients can return to normal activities four to six weeks after a robotic prostatectomy. Your recovery, however, is dependent on the type of prostatectomy, your medical history, and any other issues you may have. The doctor is the best person to tell you about your recovery timeframe.
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