Radical Prostatectomy for the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer
Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate. This procedure is one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer. Arizona Urology Specialists surgeons are highly skilled in all approaches to prostatectomy.
There are three methods: open prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy, and robot-assisted prostatectomy.
Our surgeons have expert training, years of experience, and use the most refined techniques including nerve-sparing methods to provide the best chance of saving the nerves that control erections. The choice of surgical approach is a decision made between the patient and his urologist. The experience of Arizona Urology Specialists surgeons is the most important contributing factor to the successful outcome of a prostatectomy.
Open Radical Prostatectomy
This procedure can be used for patients whose cancer is contained to the prostate or those who have too much scar tissue to be candidates for robotic surgery. Traditional open prostatectomy uses an incision in the lower abdomen to remove the prostate and any margin of nearby tissue to which the cancer has spread. Patients usually recover in the hospital for one to two days and have a six to eight-week recovery period before resuming everyday activities.
Radical Perineal Prostatectomy
Radical Perineal Prostatectomy (RPP) is the surgical removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles through a small incision in the perineum, the area between the anus and the scrotum. The perineum is the most direct route to the prostate. The radical perineal prostatectomy is performed on patients with localized prostate cancer (prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the gland). The surgery is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia and typically takes approximately two hours. A single inverted U-shaped incision (about 2 inches) is made in the perineum through which the surgeon inserts special instruments used to remove the prostate gland.
Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy is an advanced, minimally invasive surgery for cancer that is contained in the prostate. Arizona Urology Specialists surgeons are leaders in robotic surgery. Robotic surgery uses advanced optics with 10x magnification and high-definition 3-D images.
The surgeon operates from a console where his or her hand motions translate into precise movements executed by the robot’s arms, manipulating micro-instruments to perform the minimally-invasive surgery. The operating instruments are positioned through five or six small incisions in the patient’s abdomen.
Benefits of Robotic Prostatectomy Include:
- Less blood loss
- Less risk of complications from surgery
- Lower risk of transfusion
- Shorter hospital stay and recovery period
