Prostatectomy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Prostatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. Abnormalities of the prostate, such as a tumour, or if the gland itself becomes enlarged for any reason, can restrict the normal flow of urine along the urethra.

There are several forms of the operation:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): a cystoscope is passed up the urethra to the prostate, where the surrounding prostate tissue is excised. This is a common operation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and outcomes are excellent for a high percentage of these patients (80-90%). A more refined and safer operation is by means of a Holmium High Powered "RED" LASER. This technique has been well documented as being the only LASER operation that is of higher standard than the "old" TURP operation.
• open prostatectomy: A surgical procedure involving a skin incision and enucleation of the prostatic adenoma, through the prostatic capsule (RPP-retropubic prostatectomy) or through the bladder (SPP-suprapubic prostatectomy). Reserved for extremely large prostates.
• Laparoscopic: a laparoscopic or four small incisions are made in the abdomen, and the entire prostate is removed sparing nerves more easily damaged by a retropubic or suprapubic approach. Laparoscopic prostatectomy has more advantages than the Radical Perineal or Retropubic operation and is more economical than the robot assisted technique.
• Robotic-assisted prostatectomy: Laparoscopic robotic arms are controlled by a surgeon. The robot gives the surgeon much more dexterity than conventional laparscopy while offering the same advantages over open prostatectomy: Much smaller incisions, less pain, less bleeding, less risk of infection, faster healing time, and shorter hospital stay^[1]. While the cost of such procedures is high, costs are declining rapidly ^[2].
• Radical perineal prostatectomy: an incision is made in the perineum, midway between rectum and scrotum, and the prostate is removed. Radical prostatectomy is one of the key treatments for prostate cancer.
• Radical retropubic prostatectomy: an incision is made in the lower abdomen, and the prostate removed, by going behind the pubic bone (retropubic). Radical prostatectomy is one of the key treatments for prostate cancer.

• Transurethral Plasmakinetic Vaporization Prostatectomy (TUPVP).
• Transurethral Prostate Microwave Therapy: Is the latest minimally invasive therapy for patients with benign prostate disease. It can be performed in the doctors surgery with local anaesthesia only. Long term results have been shown to be equivalent to the more invasive operation ie TURP. It has much less side effects with all the benefits with the Prostalund microwave therapy device from Sweden.

[edit] External links

• Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide

[edit] References

1. ^ Center for the Advancement of Health; August 29, 2005; Robot-assisted Prostate Surgery Has Possible Benefits, High Cost [1]
2. ^ Cost Analysis of Radical Retropubic, Perineal, and Robotic Prostatectomy; Scott V. Burgess, Fatih Atug, Erik P. Castle, Rodney Davis, Raju Thomas; Journal of Endourology 2006 20:10, 827-830 [2]