Prostate surgery procedure

Prostatectomies are of two types -

Before surgery

Before the surgery, you will have to have some tests, such as surgical blood tests and body scans, as suggested by your doctor. This is done to determine your overall general health.
The doctor will review your medical history and check if you have any bleeding problems, allergies, other medical conditions, etc. If you're using certain medications or supplements, you may have to stop taking them.
Before surgery, you may have to undergo a cystoscopy. With cystoscopy, the doctor will examine the prostate size and your urinary system.
An enema may be given to you one night before the surgery. You also have to do overnight fasting, and maybe intravenous fluid will be administered to keep you hydrated.
Also, remember to leave your personal belongings at home, like -

• Jewellery
• Eyeglasses
• Purse
• Dentures

During the Procedure

• Prostate surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist will inject anaesthesia to put you into a deep sleep.
• When you are in a deep sleep, the surgeon will begin the surgery.
• Open radical prostatectomy -The surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdominal area. After carefully separating the prostate gland from the nearby nerves and blood vessels, the surgeon takes out the prostate gland and nearby tissues. The incision is then stitched with sutures.
• Simple prostatectomy - At the beginning, the surgeon may insert a cystoscope through the tip of the penis to internally examine the urethra, bladder and prostate area.
  The surgeon will insert a Foley catheter into the tip of the penis that goes into the urinary bladder to remove urine during the surgical process. The incisions will depend on what technique the doctor prefers.
  Once the diseased part of the prostate is removed, the shell of your prostate and the outer incision is closed.
  

After the procedure

You have to be admitted to the hospital for a few days. You will be given IV medications, and the needed dressings for the incisions will be regularly done. There will be a regular follow-up of your overall health. During this hospital stay, your doctor will instruct and update you about your health. You will be discharged when your doctor checks all your health reports and concludes that you are fit to go home.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is prostate surgery painful?

It is done under general anaesthesia, so you won’t feel the pain. For regular pain at the surgery site, the doctor will prescribe you pain medication.

How long will I need to be in the hospital for prostatectomy?

You might require to be in the office for one or two nights.