Prostatectomy Surgery Abroad

Prostatectomy is a treatment option for prostate cancer and involves the removal of the prostate gland; the ring-shaped gland surrounding the urethra that is part of the male reproductive system.

If this gland becomes cancerous, surgery (radical prostatectomy) is generally needed to remove it along with the small glands above the prostate known as the seminal vesicles. Other options may include radiotherapy and a watch and wait approach. Prostatectomy is not for everyone however and a potential side effect is urinary incontinence and impotence.

Procedure information

A general anesthetic is administered before the prostatectomy and there are a number of ways that the surgeon may access the prostate gland. Radical retro-pubic prostatectomy accesses the prostate from below the belly button and is the most common procedure. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy utilizes the keyhole method of surgery and is also fairly common, where the laparoscopy is inserted through an incision in the navel and then other small incisions are made for other instruments. The other, less common method to perform a prostatectomy is the radical perineal prostatectomy, which sees access from between the scrotum and the anus.

The pelvic organs are located by the surgeon and the entire prostate gland is removed. The urethra is then reattached to the bladder and a catheter (slender tube) drains the urine from the bladder. While the incision sites heal, the catheter is generally kept in place for about three days, although you may have to go home with it still in place.

Recovery time

Patients who undergo a prostatectomy are generally kept in hospital for around four or five days and sometimes up to a week. Pain killers and antibiotics will likely be administered and you may also be placed on a drip. The catheter is usually removed three days after the operation and a cystogram x-ray will tell if the incision sites are healing properly.

Full recovery from a prostatectomy may take around six weeks and patients should avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting during this time. The surgeon will let you know when you can return to work. Let the surgeon know immediately if there are any problems with urinating or any discharge or redness in the area.