Open radical prostatectomy

Open radical prostatectomy is a surgery performed to remove the prostate gland in order to treat prostate cancer. The procedure is used for cancers contained within the prostate (localized cancer).

Procedure for Open Radical Prostatectomy

Open radical prostatectomy is performed under spinal or general anaesthesia. Your surgeon can approach the prostate by making an incision from your navel to your pubic region or from the scrotum to the anus. The prostate gland and surrounding abnormal tissue are removed.

During dissection, your doctor may try to prevent erectile difficulties by sparing the nerves (that control erection) attached to the prostate gland. This type of surgery is termed as nerve-sparing open prostatectomy and is suitable for early stage prostate cancer which is completely confined within the prostate gland.

In cases where the cancer is tangled along with these nerves, your surgeon may not be able to spare the nerves and the nerves will be excised along with the prostate gland. This type of surgery is termed as non-nerve sparing prostatectomy and can cause erectile dysfunction after the surgery.

Open radical prostatectomy may take 2 to 4 hours to complete and you will stay in the hospital for about 4 days after the surgery.

Risks Associated with Open Radical Prostatectomy

Like all surgeries, open radical prostatectomy may be associated with certain complications which include erection problems, tightening of the urinary opening, difficulty controlling urine and bowel movements, and injury to the rectum.

There are alternate minimally invasive/laparoscopic procedures that can be availed of. The open radical prostatectomy is restricted to selected cases only. Your surgeon will discuss your options with you based on your particular medical history.