Prostatectomy

What this procedure is

A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and surrounds the tube that carries urine out of the body. Its main job is to help produce the fluid that makes up semen.

There are two main types of this surgery:

• Radical prostatectomy: The surgeon removes the entire prostate gland and some of the tissue around it.
• Simple prostatectomy: The surgeon removes only the inner part of the prostate to help improve urine flow.

Many of these procedures are now done using robotic-assisted surgery. This allows the surgeon to use a camera and specialized tools to perform the surgery with great precision through small points of entry.

What it treats or fixes

The most common reason for a prostatectomy is to treat prostate cancer. When the cancer is found early and is still contained within the gland, removing the prostate may help get rid of the cancer cells. Your clinician may suggest this if they believe the cancer is unlikely to have spread to other parts of the body.

This surgery is also used to treat a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that often happens as men get older. When the prostate grows too large, it can squeeze the urethra (the tube that carries urine). This can cause symptoms like a weak urine stream or the need to go to the bathroom very often. A simple prostatectomy can help relieve these symptoms by removing the part of the gland that is causing the blockage.

How common it is & where it's done

Prostatectomy is a very common surgery for men in the United States and Canada. Because it is a standard treatment for prostate cancer, many hospitals and surgical teams perform this procedure frequently. This experience helps the medical team provide consistent care throughout the process.

The surgery is performed in a hospital or a specialized surgical center. Most patients will stay in the hospital for at least one night so the medical team can monitor their recovery. Depending on the type of surgery and your overall health, your clinician will let you know how long you might need to stay before going home.

Your care team will include a urologist, which is a doctor who specializes in the urinary tract and male reproductive system. They will work with you to decide if this procedure is the right step for your health.

Recovery: What to Expect

Most patients stay in the hospital for one to two days after the procedure. When you go home, you will likely have a urinary catheter in place. This is a thin, flexible tube that drains urine from your bladder into a bag. It is usually kept in for one to two weeks to allow the internal area to heal. Your care team will provide clear instructions on how to keep the area clean and manage the drainage bag.

During the first few weeks at home, your clinician may advise you to:

• Avoid heavy lifting or straining.
• Take short walks to help your blood flow and prevent clots.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your bladder clear.
• Gradually increase your activity level as you feel stronger.

Risks & Possible Complications

While prostatectomy is a common surgery, it does carry some risks. The most frequent side effects are urinary incontinence (leaking urine) and erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection). For many people, these issues improve significantly over the first year as the body heals and the nerves recover.

Other possible complications include:

• Bleeding or infection at the site of the surgery.
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs.
• Narrowing of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body), which can make it harder to urinate.

Your clinician may suggest pelvic floor exercises, often called Kegels, to help strengthen the muscles that control your bladder.

Outcomes & Long-Term Results

The main goal of a prostatectomy is to remove the cancer while preserving as much normal function as possible. After surgery, your clinician will monitor your health using a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. This test helps ensure that the cancer has been successfully treated. In many cases, the PSA level drops to near zero shortly after the prostate is removed.

Long-term results are generally very positive. Most patients return to their normal daily activities within six to eight weeks. While some changes in sexual or urinary function may be permanent, many men find that their quality of life remains high and that they can manage any long-term side effects with help from their medical team.

Emotional Support & Reassurance

It is normal to feel a range of emotions before and after surgery. Many patients find comfort in speaking with a counselor or joining a support group for people who have had similar experiences. Sharing your feelings with loved ones can also help ease the transition during recovery.

You should feel empowered to contact your healthcare team if you have concerns. Your clinician may want you to call if you experience:

• A fever or chills.
• Redness, swelling, or drainage from your incisions.
• Pain that is not helped by your prescribed medicine.
• Trouble passing urine once the catheter has been removed.

Remember that healing takes time, and your care team is there to support both your physical and emotional well-being throughout the process.

Why doctors recommend it

A prostatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. Doctors most often recommend this procedure to treat prostate cancer that is "localized." This means the cancer is still contained within the prostate and has not spread to other parts of the body.

Your clinician may also suggest this surgery if you have a very enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is usually considered when other treatments, like medication or less invasive procedures, have not helped with severe urinary problems.

The decision to move forward with surgery depends on several factors, including your overall health, your age, and the specific grade or stage of the cancer.

Urgent vs planned treatment

In most cases, a prostatectomy is a planned procedure rather than an emergency. Because many types of prostate cancer grow slowly, you and your care team often have time to discuss different options and choose the best timing for you.

For some patients with low-risk cancer, a clinician might suggest "active surveillance." This means watching the cancer closely with regular tests instead of having surgery right away. Surgery is usually scheduled when tests show the cancer is becoming more active or if there is a higher risk of it spreading.

While it is rarely an "urgent" surgery, planning the procedure helps ensure the cancer is treated before it moves outside the prostate gland. Your care team will help you decide when the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks of waiting.

Goals of treatment

The primary goal for cancer patients is to remove the entire tumor to prevent it from spreading to other organs. By removing the prostate, doctors aim to provide a long-term cure for the disease.

Other goals of the procedure include:

• Relieving symptoms: For those with an enlarged prostate, the surgery aims to restore normal urine flow and reduce discomfort.
• Preventing future spread: Removing the gland helps ensure the cancer does not reach the bones or other vital organs.
• Preserving function: Clinicians use precise techniques to protect the nerves and muscles responsible for bladder control and sexual function.

Success is often measured by both the removal of the disease and how well you recover these daily functions during your healing process.

Who may benefit

A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland. This procedure is most often used for people with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body. By removing the prostate, the goal is to remove the cancer before it can grow further.

Your clinician may also suggest this surgery if you have a very enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). If other treatments haven't helped, surgery can help relieve symptoms like trouble starting to urinate or a weak urine stream. This can improve your quality of life and protect your bladder and kidneys from damage.

When it may not be the right option

Surgery might not be the best choice for everyone. If the cancer is very slow-growing and unlikely to cause problems, your care team might suggest active surveillance. This means they will monitor the cancer closely with regular tests instead of doing surgery right away.

If the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, removing the prostate may not be enough to treat the disease. In these cases, other treatments like hormone therapy or radiation might be more helpful. Additionally, if you have other serious health issues, the risks of surgery might outweigh the benefits. Your clinician will look at your overall health and age to help you decide.

Questions to ask your care team

Choosing a treatment is a big decision. It is helpful to talk through your options with your doctor. Here are some questions you might want to ask:

• Why is a prostatectomy the best option for my specific situation?
• What are the chances that the surgery will fully remove the cancer?
• What are the risks of side effects, such as incontinence (leaking urine) or erectile dysfunction (trouble getting an erection)?
• How long will it take to recover, and when can I return to my normal activities?
• Are there other treatments, like radiation or active monitoring, that I should consider?

In the procedure room

When you arrive in the operating room, you will see the surgical team and various pieces of equipment, such as monitors and possibly a robotic system. The room is usually kept cool to help keep the environment sterile. The team will perform a safety check, often called a "time-out," to confirm your identity and the details of the procedure before anything begins.

You will be positioned comfortably on the surgical table. The staff will place monitors on your chest and an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth to prepare you for the procedure.

High-level steps

The surgeon's main goal is to remove the prostate gland and some of the tissue around it. Depending on the method, the surgeon may make several small incisions (robotic or laparoscopic surgery) or one larger incision in the lower abdomen (open surgery).

• Removal: The prostate and the seminal vesicles (glands that help produce fluid for semen) are carefully detached and removed.
• Reconnection: The surgeon then reconnects the bladder to the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body.
• Catheter placement: A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted through the penis into the bladder. This stays in place for several days to allow the new connection to heal while draining urine into a bag.

Anesthesia and pain control

A prostatectomy is performed under general anesthesia. This means you will be in a deep sleep and will not feel any pain or be aware of the surgery while it is happening. An anesthesia provider will stay with you the entire time to manage your comfort and safety.

After the surgery, your clinician may use local numbing medications at the incision sites to help reduce soreness. You may also receive pain relief through an IV or as pills once you are awake and able to swallow.

Monitoring and safety steps

Your safety is the top priority during the procedure. The surgical team continuously monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels. They also track the amount of fluids in your body to ensure everything remains stable.

To help prevent blood clots, you may have inflatable sleeves placed on your legs. These sleeves gently squeeze and release to keep your blood circulating well while you are lying still. The team also uses sterile drapes and specialized cleaning solutions to keep the surgical area clean and reduce the risk of infection.

Immediately after the procedure

You will wake up in a recovery room, often called the PACU. It is normal to feel groggy, chilly, or slightly confused as the anesthesia wears off. You might also have a dry mouth or a sore throat from the breathing tube used during surgery.

You will notice the urinary catheter is in place. It may cause a sensation of pressure or the feeling that you need to urinate, but the tube will handle the drainage for you. Nurses will check on you frequently to monitor your pain levels and ensure you are waking up safely.

Typical procedure length

A prostatectomy typically takes between 2 and 4 hours to complete. The exact time can vary based on the surgical approach used and your individual anatomy. Your surgical team will keep your family or loved ones updated on your progress during this time.

Common approaches (open vs minimally invasive)

Your surgical team will recommend the approach that is safest for your specific condition. The main difference between these methods is how the surgeon accesses the prostate gland.

Open surgery

In this traditional approach, the surgeon makes a single incision (cut) to reach the prostate. This allows the doctor to view and touch the gland directly. There are two main ways this is done:

• Retropubic: The incision is made in your lower abdomen, below your belly button.
• Perineal: The incision is made in the skin between the anus and the scrotum. This is less common but may be used in specific cases.

Minimally invasive surgery

This approach uses small incisions rather than one large cut. It often leads to less pain and a faster recovery time, though it is not the right choice for every patient.

• Laparoscopic: The surgeon inserts a tiny camera and special instruments through several small cuts in the abdomen.
• Robotic-assisted: This is a specific type of laparoscopic surgery. The surgeon sits at a console and controls robotic arms that hold the instruments. This technology allows for very precise movements.

Partial vs total

The amount of tissue removed depends largely on the reason for the surgery—usually whether it is for treating cancer or for treating a benign (non-cancerous) condition.

Radical prostatectomy (Total)

This procedure removes the entire prostate gland and some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles. It is the standard surgical treatment for prostate cancer. The goal is to remove all cancer cells so they cannot spread.

Simple prostatectomy (Partial)

Despite the name, this is still a major surgery. It is typically used for men with severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate (BPH), not for curing cancer. In this procedure, the doctor removes the inside part of the prostate that is blocking urine flow but leaves the outer part of the gland intact.

Revision or repeat procedures

Because a radical prostatectomy removes the entire organ, you cannot have this specific surgery again. If cancer returns after surgery, doctors typically use other treatments, such as radiation therapy, rather than more surgery.

For men who undergo a simple (partial) prostatectomy, the outer shell of the prostate remains. While it is uncommon, it is possible for the remaining tissue to grow over time or for new issues to develop. However, repeat surgery is rarely needed. Your clinician will monitor your recovery to ensure your urinary flow remains strong and to manage any side effects, such as scar tissue, that might require minor follow-up care.

Tests and imaging that may be done

Before your surgery, your healthcare team will check your overall health to ensure you are ready for the procedure. This often involves a pre-operative appointment a few weeks before your scheduled date. During this time, your clinician may order standard tests such as:

• Blood tests: To check your blood cell counts and kidney function.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG): To check your heart rhythm.
• Chest X-ray: To check your lungs.

In some cases, your surgeon may need to look inside your urethra and bladder using a thin scope. This procedure is called a cystoscopy. They might also use imaging tests to measure the size of the prostate, which helps them plan the surgery.

Medication adjustments

It is important to tell your care team about every medicine you take. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines can increase bleeding risk and may need to be paused.

Only stop medicines if your clinician instructs you to do so. Common instructions may include:

• Blood thinners: You may be asked to stop taking aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, or similar drugs up to a week or more before surgery.
• Pain relievers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are often stopped several days in advance.
• Supplements: Vitamin E and certain herbal supplements may also need to be paused.

Day-before and day-of instructions

Your surgical team will give you a specific checklist to follow as your surgery date approaches. Following these steps carefully helps prevent infection and complications.

The day before surgery

• Bowel preparation: You may need to clear your colon so it is empty for surgery. This might involve a clear liquid diet (broth, juice, gelatin) and using a laxative or enema.
• Fasting: Usually, you will be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight. This includes water, gum, and mints.

The morning of surgery

• Medications: If your doctor told you to take specific heart or blood pressure pills, take them with a very small sip of water.
• Hygiene: You may be asked to shower with a special antibacterial soap to reduce germs on your skin.
• What to bring: Bring your photo ID and insurance card. Leave jewelry, watches, and other valuables at home.

General surgical risks

As with any major surgery, a prostatectomy carries certain general risks. Your surgical team takes many precautions to lower the chance of these problems occurring. Common risks associated with most surgeries include:

• Reactions to anesthesia: Some patients may feel nauseous or groggy after waking up.
• Bleeding or infection: This can happen at the incision site or internally.
• Blood clots: Clots can form in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or travel to the lungs. Your care team will likely have you walk soon after surgery or wear special stockings to help prevent this.
• Injury to nearby structures: While rare, there is a small risk of injury to the rectum or nearby blood vessels during the procedure.

Procedure-specific complications

Because the prostate is located near the bladder and nerves that control sexual function, removing it can affect how you urinate and your sexual health. The likelihood of these side effects depends on your age, overall health, and the surgical technique used.

• Urinary incontinence: It is very common to have trouble controlling your urine immediately after the catheter is removed. This usually involves leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh. For most men, bladder control returns gradually over several weeks or months.
• Erectile dysfunction (ED): The nerves that control erections run very close to the prostate. Even if your surgeon uses a "nerve-sparing" technique to protect them, these nerves may be temporarily damaged. Recovery of sexual function can take time.
• Sterility: Removing the prostate and seminal vesicles cuts the connection between the testicles and the urethra. This means you will no longer be able to father children through natural means, and you will have "dry" orgasms (climax without ejaculation).
• Lymphedema: If lymph nodes are removed during the surgery, fluid may build up in the legs or groin area, causing swelling, though this is less common.

How complications are treated

Most side effects from prostatectomy are treatable or improve on their own with time. Your healthcare team will monitor your recovery and suggest therapies to help you regain function.

• Managing urinary control: Pelvic floor muscle exercises, often called Kegel exercises, are the primary way to strengthen the muscles that control urination. Your clinician may recommend starting these before surgery. If leaking persists long-term, other treatments or minor procedures can help.
• Treating erectile dysfunction: Nerves heal slowly, and it can take up to two years for sexual function to fully recover. During this time, your doctor may prescribe medications, vacuum devices, or other therapies to help you achieve an erection and maintain blood flow to the area.
• Addressing other issues: Infections are treated with antibiotics. If lymphedema occurs, physical therapy or massage techniques can help reduce swelling.

Pain control medicines

After surgery, your care team will help you manage any discomfort. Your clinician may suggest over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce swelling and pain. These are often the first choice for mild to moderate discomfort.

In some cases, your clinician may prescribe stronger pain medicines, often called opioids, for a short period. Because these can cause side effects like constipation or drowsiness, they are usually used only when needed. Your clinician will tailor this plan based on your health history and any allergies you may have.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medicines used to prevent or treat infections caused by bacteria. To help keep the surgical site clean, your clinician may give you a dose of antibiotics right before your surgery starts. This is a common step to lower the risk of infection during the procedure.

You might also be asked to take antibiotics for a short time after you go home, especially while a catheter (a flexible tube used to drain urine) is in place. It is important to tell your care team about any past reactions to antibiotics to ensure they choose the safest option for you.

Blood thinners and clot prevention

To help prevent blood clots from forming in the legs after surgery, your clinician may prescribe blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants. These medicines help keep your blood flowing smoothly while you are resting and recovering. Preventing clots is an important part of a safe recovery.

In addition to medicine, your team will likely encourage you to start walking soon after surgery and may use special compression stockings on your legs. Your clinician will check for any potential interactions with other supplements or medicines you take to make sure the treatment is right for you.

Emergency warning signs

While serious complications are rare, it is important to recognize signs that require immediate medical attention. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience symptoms that could indicate a blood clot in the lungs or other urgent heart or lung issues.

• Sudden chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood
• Fainting or loss of consciousness

Call your surgeon or clinic if…

Contact your healthcare team right away if you notice signs of infection, issues with your catheter, or symptoms of a blood clot in the leg. Do not wait for a follow-up appointment to report these changes.

• Fever or chills: Call if you have a temperature higher than 101°F (38.3°C).
• Catheter issues: Seek help if the catheter stops draining urine, falls out, or if you have a strong urge to urinate that does not go away.
• Leg symptoms: Swelling, redness, warmth, or pain in your calf may indicate a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis).
• Incision changes: Watch for spreading redness, warmth, opening of the wound edges, or pus-like drainage.
• Digestive problems: Call if you have nausea or vomiting that prevents you from drinking fluids or taking your medication.
• Uncontrolled pain: Pain that does not get better after taking your prescribed pain medicine.

Expected vs concerning symptoms

Recovery takes time, and your body will go through many changes. Knowing the difference between normal healing and a problem can help you stay calm.

• Urine color: It is common for urine to be pink or light red. It is concerning if urine becomes bright red, thick like ketchup, or contains large blood clots that block the tube.
• Energy levels: It is expected to feel tired and fatigued for several weeks. It is concerning if you feel sudden, extreme weakness or dizziness.
• Bladder control: It is expected to have some urine leakage (incontinence) after the catheter is removed. It is concerning if you cannot urinate at all after the catheter is taken out.
• Swelling: Some bruising and swelling around the scrotum and penis are normal. However, extreme swelling or pain should be reported to your clinician.

Non-surgical treatments

There are several ways to manage prostate issues without surgery. Radiation therapy is a common alternative for treating cancer. It uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. This can be done using a machine outside the body or by placing small radioactive "seeds" directly into the prostate, which is called brachytherapy.

Hormone therapy is another option your clinician may suggest. This treatment uses medicine to lower the levels of hormones that help cancer cells grow. While it may not cure the cancer on its own, it can often shrink a tumor or slow its growth significantly.

Active surveillance is a proactive non-surgical approach. During active surveillance, your care team monitors the cancer very closely with regular blood tests and exams. This allows you to delay or avoid surgery and its side effects as long as the cancer remains slow-growing and confined to the prostate.

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a less intensive form of monitoring than active surveillance. It is often recommended for patients who have other health concerns or for those whose cancer is growing so slowly that it is unlikely to cause problems during their lifetime.

In this approach, the focus is on managing symptoms rather than curing the disease. Instead of frequent biopsies (taking small tissue samples) or imaging tests, your clinician will monitor how you feel. If you develop symptoms like pain or difficulty urinating, treatments may be started to help you feel better.

This path is often chosen to maintain a high quality of life by avoiding the risks and recovery time associated with surgery or radiation. It is a calm, observational approach for cases where the risks of treatment might outweigh the benefits.

When surgery becomes the best option

Your clinician may recommend a prostatectomy if tests show the cancer is likely to spread outside the prostate. Surgery is often the preferred choice when the goal is to completely remove the cancer while it is still localized, meaning it has not moved to other parts of the body.

The decision to move from monitoring to surgery is usually triggered by specific changes in your health. These triggers may include a steady rise in your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels, which is a protein measured in your blood. Changes in the appearance of cancer cells during a follow-up biopsy can also signal that the cancer is becoming more aggressive.

For many patients, surgery becomes the best option when other treatments like radiation are not ideal for their specific type of cancer. If you are otherwise healthy and have a long life expectancy, removing the prostate may offer the most direct way to manage the condition and provide long-term peace of mind.

Hospital services that commonly perform this surgery

A prostatectomy is usually performed in the urology department of a hospital or a specialized surgical center. These departments focus on the health of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Many modern hospitals use advanced technology, such as robotic-assisted systems, to help surgeons perform the procedure with high precision through small incisions.

Your care team will likely include several specialists working together. This often includes a urologist (a doctor who specializes in the urinary system), anesthesiologists to keep you comfortable during the procedure, and specialized nurses who manage your care before and after surgery. Larger medical centers may have dedicated prostate cancer programs that coordinate your care from the time of diagnosis through your full recovery.

Patient resources and support services

Recovery involves more than just the surgery itself. Many hospitals offer support services to help you manage life after the procedure and improve your quality of life. These may include:

• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Specialists can teach you exercises, often called Kegels, to help strengthen the muscles that control your bladder and improve urinary control.
• Sexual Health Counseling: Because surgery can sometimes affect nerve function, many centers provide resources and treatments to help manage changes in sexual health or erectile dysfunction.
• Support Groups: Connecting with other people who have undergone a prostatectomy can provide emotional support and practical tips for daily life during recovery.
• Pre-Surgical Education: Many clinics offer classes or detailed guides to help you prepare your home and your body for the recovery period.

Questions for choosing where to have surgery

Choosing where to have your surgery is an important step in your healthcare journey. Your clinician may suggest a specific hospital, but you can also research facilities to find the best fit for your needs. Consider using this checklist when talking to a surgical team:

• How many prostatectomies does the surgeon or the hospital perform each year?
• Does the hospital offer robotic-assisted surgery, and is that the right option for my specific case?
• What kind of specialized support is available if I have trouble with bladder control or sexual function after surgery?
• Will I have access to a dedicated nursing team that specializes in urology recovery?
• What are the hospital's typical outcomes and complication rates for this specific procedure?

It is helpful to choose a facility that makes you feel comfortable and provides clear, honest answers to your questions about both the surgery and the long-term recovery process.

Conditions commonly treated by this procedure

A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland. The most common reason a clinician may recommend this procedure is to treat prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body. This is often called localized cancer.

In some cases, this surgery may be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. While BPH is not cancer, it can cause the prostate to press against the tube that carries urine, making it difficult to go to the bathroom. Your clinician may suggest surgery if other treatments have not helped enough.

Related symptoms people search for

Many people look into this procedure because they are experiencing changes in how they urinate. These symptoms can be associated with several different prostate conditions and may include:

• A frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially during the night.
• A weak urine stream or a stream that starts and stops.
• Feeling like you cannot fully empty your bladder.
• Blood in the urine or semen.

Some people also search for information about pelvic pain or changes in sexual health. Because these symptoms can be caused by many different things, it is important to have an evaluation by a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan.

Evidence overview

Prostatectomy is a widely studied and established treatment for prostate cancer. Medical evidence supports its use as a primary option when the cancer is believed to be confined to the prostate gland. The goal of the procedure is to remove the cancer completely to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.

Research compares surgery to other treatment paths, such as radiation therapy or active surveillance (closely monitoring the cancer without immediate treatment). Clinical trials and long-term studies help doctors understand which patients benefit most from surgery. These studies look at survival rates, the likelihood of the cancer returning, and how the surgery affects quality of life.

Advancements in technology, such as robotic-assisted surgery, have also been extensively reviewed. While both open surgery and robotic approaches are effective for removing cancer, evidence suggests that minimally invasive techniques may lead to less blood loss and shorter hospital stays for many patients.

Safety notes and individualized care

Every surgery carries some risk, and prostatectomy is no exception. Your surgical team will evaluate your overall health, age, and the specific characteristics of your cancer to determine if this procedure is safe for you. General risks associated with major surgery include bleeding, infection, or the formation of blood clots in the legs.

There are also specific side effects related to the prostate. The two most common concerns are:

• Urinary incontinence: Temporary leaking of urine is common after surgery. Most men regain bladder control over time, though the recovery period varies.
• Erectile dysfunction: Surgery can affect the nerves that control erections. Whenever possible, surgeons use "nerve-sparing" techniques to protect these delicate nerves and improve the chance of recovering sexual function.

To maximize safety, your care team will provide specific instructions before and after the procedure. This may include stopping certain medications to reduce bleeding risks and walking frequently after surgery to improve circulation. Follow-up appointments are used to monitor your recovery and check PSA levels to ensure the treatment was effective.

Sources used

The content in this section is grounded in patient education materials and clinical evidence from major academic medical centers, urology departments, and peer-reviewed medical journals.