Simple prostatectomy
Alternative Names: Prostatectomy - simple; Suprapubic prostatectomy; Retropubic simple prostatectomy; Open prostatectomy
Simple prostate removal is a procedure to remove the inside part of the prostate gland through a surgical cut in your lower belly, to treat an enlarged prostate.
See also:
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy
- Prostate resection - minimally invasive
- Transurethral resection of the prostate
Description of Procedure
You will be given general anethesia (asleep, pain-free) or spinal anesthesia (sedated, awake, pain-free). The procedure takes about 2 to 4 hours.
Your surgeon will make a surgical cut in your lower belly, from below the belly button to just above the penis. The prostate gland is removed through this cut.
The surgeon removes only the inner part of the prostate gland. The outer part is left behind (similar to scooping out the inside of an orange). After removing part of your prostate, the surgeon will close the outer shell of the prostate with stitches. A drain may be left in your belly to help remove extra fluids after surgery.
Risks of Simple prostatectomy
Risks for any surgery are:
- Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
- Blood loss
- Breathing problems
- Heart attack or stroke during surgery
- Infection, including in the surgical wound, lungs (pneumonia), or bladder or kidney
- Reactions to medications
Other risks are:
- Damage to internal organs and structures
- Erection problems (impotence)
- Loss of sperm fertility (infertility)
- Passing semen back up into the bladder instead of out through the urethra (retrograde ejaculation)
- Problems with bowel movement control (bowel incontinence)
- Problems with urine control (incontinence)
- Urethral stricture (tightening of the urinary outlet from scar tissue)
Learn more about Simple prostatectomy
Reviewed By: Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Copyright 2011 A.D.A.M., Inc.
