Making Choices - Surgery Robotic Radical Prostatectomy

The prostate is a key part of the male reproductive system and it produces the fluid that carries sperm. It’s located near important organs and nerves, like the bladder, rectum, urethra, and the nerves vital for an erection. So removing it needs a very careful approach.

This surgery is typically performed using the DaVinci robot. This technique gives a close-up view and allows for precise, controlled movements. Importantly, your surgeon will still be the one performing the procedure as all movements are controlled by the surgeon who sits at the console and operates the robot. For patients who have medical issues that make an open prostatectomy the preferred approach, we are able to offer this surgery as well.

The surgery itself involves taking out the prostate, seminal vesicles, and usually the lymph nodes near the prostate.

In this operation, doctors can see and, if possible, save the nerve bundles that are essential for sexual function. There is not a single nerve that is seen; rather, it is the tissue right next to the prostate that carries tiny nerves and blood vessels, and this tissue is left as undisturbed as possible. However, some or all of this tissue may need to be removed on one or both sides of the prostate if there is concern that the cancer could be growing into this tissue. The surgery will also carefully maintain the urinary sphincter muscles which control urinary continence.

After removing the prostate, the bladder and urethra are reconnected, and a special tube called a ‘Foley catheter’ is put in place to help with urinating after the surgery. The prostate gland that’s been removed gets put in a bag and taken out through one of the small cuts made for the operation.

Usually, the doctors make about five small cuts, which helps minimize scarring and speeds up recovery. The operation takes around 3-4 hours and you might need to stay in the hospital for a night, although some people go home on the same day.

Roughly a week after the surgery, the Foley catheter is usually taken out, marking a big moment toward getting back normal bladder function. The overall recovery from the surgery takes around 4-6 weeks.