Prostatectomy

• Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy, is a procedure in which the surgeon cuts an incision in the lower abdomen in order to reach the prostate. This procedure, while effective, has been associated with nerve damage which results in impotency in many patients. Potency-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy was devised in order to preserve sexual potency, and is successful in doing so with 75% of patients.

• Radical Perineal Prostatectomy. With this procedure, the surgeon cuts into the perineum (the space between the rectum and the scrotum) and removes the lymph nodes via that incision. However, despite being equal in its effectiveness, this technique is utilized less often than Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy because of the resulting nerve damage, which leaves the patient impotent. While RPP is considered to be less invasive (and less visible, cosmetically speaking) than RRP, it is generally only indicated if the need to preserve erectile function does not exist, or if a faster procedure is necessary to accommodate the patient’s healthcare needs.

• Transurethral Prostatectomy. This procedure is generally faster than the other two, requiring about a half hour to an hour rather than two to three hours. The procedure involves the insertion of a metal tube into the urethra in order to remove prostate tissue. Recovery time may also be quicker, but post-surgical hospitalization is still typically required. This technique is indicated when the inhibiting mass is benign (non-cancerous).

• Cryosurgery is a technique in which the cancer cells in and around the prostate are frozen. It is a relatively new procedure, but has recently been approved for treatment in most patients. However, it is not the same as a prostatectomy, as it does not involve removal of the actual glands themselves.

Source: prostatecancer.info