Prostate Surgery - Procedure, Recovery & Complication

Post Surgery

Prostate gland is the most important part of male reproductive system. Prostate is a gland
meant to produce the fluids carried by the sperm. Prostate gland is located underneath the
bladder in front of the rectum. Prostate laser surgery is performed when the prostate gland
becomes large. The surgery relieves the urinary symptoms caused by the enlarged prostate.
The condition when the prostate gland becomes large is called benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). The surgery either removes the complete or partial prostrate.

Reason for Prostate Surgery

Enlarged Prostate

Recurring Prostate bleeding

Frequent urgent need to urinate

Difficulty in starting urination

Slow urination

Increased frequency of urination especially at night called the nocturia

Feeling of the bladder not emptied fully

Urinary tract infections

Kidney or bladder damage

Bladder stones

Incontinence the condition when urine cant be controlled

Constant pain while urinating

Preparation for Prostate Surgery

A series of instructions are to be followed before going for the surgery. First is the patient
medical history. All the medications and medical condition the patient has to be explained to
the doctor. It is because if the patient is taking any blood thinners like warfarin, aspirin,
ibuprofen etc. may cause complications during the surgery. Blood thinners are stopped as they
may cause prolonged bleeding after surgery. Patient is not advised to eat or drink anything
after midnight the night before the surgery.

Types of Prostate Surgeries performed and their procedures

1. Open Surgery: It is the traditional way of Prostate surgery in which a abdominal incision is
made from the navel to the pubic bone. The prostate is removed thereby. In case of

Prostate cancer the lymph nodes are also removed. Temporary the patient feels difficulty in
achieving erection.
2. Endoscopic Surgery: In case the problem is due to enlarged Prostate only than an external
incision work in place of abdominal surgery. A long, flexible tube with a light and lens called
endoscope is entered via the end of the penis. Its a less invasive method and can remove
the enlarged part of prostate easily. For Patients with prostate cancer this method is not
preferred.

3. Laparoscopic surgery: It is the minimal invasive type of prostate surgery performed. In this
surgery, a scope is inserted via the tipoff penis in to the tube that is carried from urine to

urinary bladder. In the scope a laser is attached, that has the energy to shrink or remove
the excess tissue that blocks the urethra and prevent the urine flow. The laser has
concentrated light to generate intense heat to remove the excess tissue. The excess tissue
is removed by ablation that is by melting the excess tissue. The other way to remove the
excess tissue is enucleation that cuts away the excess tissue. The type of laser surgery
depending on size of prostate, health of the patients, and the type of laser available. The
types of laser surgery that are performed are as follows:

Photoselective vaporization of the prostate: In this, the laser vaporizes the excess
prostate tissue. It enlarges the urinary channel and solves the problem of difficulty
in urinating.

Holmium laser ablation of the prostate: In this a different type of laser is used to
remove the excess tissue of prostate.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: In this laser surgery, the laser cuts and
removes the excess tissue that is blocking up the urethera. An instrument called
morcellator chopped the excess prostate tissue into small pieces. Further, the tiny
pieces are removed.

After the Prostate Surgery

A catheter is attached for the urine flow as the urine flow is blocked due to swelling. The
common things that may be noticed by the patient after the Prostate surgery are as follows:

For some days, thick blood can be seen in urine. In case, the bleeding worsens or blood
clots blocks the urine flow a doctor should be contacted immediately.

Irritation or itching while urination can be felt from some days to weeks after the
procedure. This is due to the fact that the incision is still healing. The tip of the penis
becomes irritated while urination.

Feeling of urgent urination or increased frequency of urine especially at night can persist
for few days. The symptoms depend upon the healing process.

Difficulty holding urine. This is due to the fact that bladder is habitual to push urine
through a urethra narrowed by enlarged prostate tissue. But with time, it improves
drastically.

Recovery process after the surgery

Any strenuous activities are to be avoided. Lifting heavy things, doing rigorous exercises,
waking or standing for long are to be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks.

Carrying out any sexual activity is strictly prohibited. No sex is recommended till 2 or 3
weeks after the procedure. Ejaculation may cause pain and bleeding that is why it is best
to be avoided.

Taking healthy food increases the recovery process. Too much liquid food is to be
avoided as it requires frequent urination.

All the medications are to be taken and the full course has to be carried out as
prescribed by the doctor.

Hygiene and cleanliness is to be maintained at all times to prevent any chance of

infection.

Prostrate surgery cost in India

In almost every city, the urology department of the hospitals carries out Prostate surgery. With
the new laparoscopic technology the cost varies on the different types of macroscopic
techniques used. The cost starts from around Rs.40,000 to Rs.70,000 depending upon the laser
technique used. The stay in hospital is for around 5 days that slightly increases the cost of the
surgery. Get the detailed information of cost of prostate surgery in India here.
Prostrate Surgery is not an invasive procedure now due to the newly developed laparoscopic
technology. Laser technology makes the surgery less painful and also eases up the recovery
process. It is a common problem among men that develops with age. The success rate of the

surgery is quite high. Additionally, the risk factors associated with the surgery are far less.
Prostate surgery is performed now in almost all the hospitals under the consultation of
urologists.