Jul
18
THE SUPRAPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY.
July 18, 2009 |
THE SUPRAPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY
In this surgery an incision is made below the navel and to a point just above the pubis. An alternative may be an incision just above the pubic hair. The incisions will be from four to six inches long.
The surgeon goes in here cutting through skin and its lining. The patient’s muscles covering the bladder are carefully separated and the sac covering the abdominal wall is pulled back. Then an incision is made in the bladder.
Now the surgeon removes the prostate gland and the tissue is examined for any evidence of cancer. Cauterization or sutures close off all bleeding vessels. The stitches will dissolve later.
When bleeding is controlled, the surgeon inserts a catheter in the penis and up through the urethra into the bladder to irrigate it. The bladder is then emptied.
Now a second catheter is inserted directly into the bladder. It will leave the body just below the navel. This catheter is used to drain urine and irrigation fluids from the bladder after the operation. It is larger than the one in the penis and more effective.
Continuous irrigation of the bladder and the prostate area is continued for two days. The large catheter is removed in a day or two but the penile catheter is left in for six or seven days. This allows urine to be removed from the bladder and lets the prostate area heal.
After the catheter is removed the patient usually can urinate normally.