Radical prostatectomy

Radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) is surgery to remove the entire prostate gland and some tissues around it (nearby lymph nodes can also be removed). It is done in order to treat prostate cancer. There are 4 main types or radical prostatectomy techniques. These procedures last approximately 3 to 4 hours:

• Retropubic - The surgeon will make an incision starting just below the navel that will reach the pubic bone. This surgery takes between 90 minutes and 4 hours.

• Laparoscopic - The surgeon makes several small cuts instead of a large cut. Long and thin tools are placed inside the cuts. The surgeon places a thin probe with a video camera (laparoscope) inside one of the cuts, which helps you observe inside the abdomen during the procedure.

• Robotic surgery - Sometimes, laparoscopic surgery is performed using a robotic system. The surgeon moves the instruments and the camera with the robotic arm while sitting at a control console near the operating table. Not all hospitals offer robotic surgery.

• Perineal - The surgeon makes a cut in the skin between the anus and the base of the scrotum (perineum). This cut is smaller than the one made with the retropubic technique. This type of surgery regularly lasts less and causes less blood loss. However, it is more difficult for the surgeon to preserve the nerves around the prostate or remove nearby lymph nodes with this technique.