Keyhole Surgery Advantages For Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Videos
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In this video, leading urologist Mr Christopher Eden discusses the advantages and effects of treating prostate cancer with surgery.
What are the advantages of keyhole surgery to treat prostate cancer?
There are advantages to keyhole surgery, also called laparoscopic surgery, for both the surgeon and the patient in treating prostate cancer, compared to the more traditional open surgery.
Patient advantages to laparoscopic surgery
Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery to remove their prostate cancer can expect a shorter period of hospitalisation compared to open surgery. There is also less bleeding with keyhole surgery which reduces the risk of a patient needing a blood transfusion and reduces complications connected to blood loss. Patients can expect a shorter convalescence following their surgery.
From the surgeon’s perspective, keyhole surgery creates less bleeding around the prostate; this, coupled with the magnified view the surgeon has from the camera, allows them a clearer view of the prostate cancer they are operating on.
What is the recovery time for keyhole surgery to treat prostate cancer?
With laparoscopic surgery patients can usually expect a much shorter recover time.
In most circumstances, the patient will have their drain removed just one day after the surgery is performed. They will be allowed breakfast the morning following the surgery, and up and walking around the ward on the first post-operative day. On the second day after keyhole surgery, a patient should be able to walk around the ward more comfortably and be ready to go home at the end of the second day or at the start of the third day.
The catheter will normally be removed just 10-14 days after the operation. Catheter removal is a very simple process and can be done at home by a trained healthcare professional. A syringe is used to deflate the balloon that retains the catheter, allowing it to slide out with no discomfort for the patient.
Incontinence following laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer
The majority of patients can expect some degree of urinary incontinence following prostate cancer surgery. This is referred to as ‘stress urinary incontinence’ which means that if a patient sneezes, coughs or laughs unexpectedly they may leak a small amount of urine. Embarrassment and discomfort can be minimised using incontinence pads.
Once the stitches in the valve have dissolved and the scar tissue softens, stress urinary incontinence usually goes away.
Mr Christopher Eden
Consultant Urologist
10520 Revised November 2012
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