Introduction
Laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer is done to treat localized prostate cancer. There are several benefits of laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer compared to conventional surgery. The patient should visit the best hospital for prostate cancer treatment in Nashik.
Benefits of laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer
Some of the benefits of laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer are:
- Minimally invasive surgery: Laparoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery is the surgery in which there is a small incision made at the site of surgery as compared to conventional surgery. Traditional surgery for prostate cancer requires around an eight-inch incision. However, with laparoscopic surgery, only a half-inch incision is required. It results in several advantages, such as fast healing and reduced patient discomfort.
- Precision: A laparoscope assists laparoscopic surgery. A laparoscope is a thin tube having a camera at the end. This camera is a high-definition camera that allows the surgeon to view the pelvic area in detail. It results in improved precision and accuracy in removing the cancerous prostate tissue. In this process, the healthy tissues are preserved, and thus the patient experiences fewer complications and early healing.
- Faster recovery: Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery have a faster healing rate and faster recovery. The patients can resume their routine activities and join the office early compared to traditional surgery. Traditional surgery requires around 6 to 7 weeks for complete recovery, while laparoscopic surgery requires 3 to 4 weeks for recovery. The faster recovery in laparoscopic surgery may be attributed to minimal tissue damage.
- Reduced complications: Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer experience reduced complications compared to traditional surgery. Prostate cancer surgery is considered a major treatment, and there are possibilities of several complications. These complications include blood loss, infection, scarring, urinary incontinence, and impotence. It is due to higher preservation of healthy tissues and improved and unparalleled visualization of the tissues with the help of a laparoscope with an advanced camera.
- Shorter hospital stays: The patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer have an overall shorter stay at the hospital than the conventional surgery. During laparoscopic surgery, there is a relatively smaller incision, and surgery has fewer complications. These benefits ensure faster healing and there is the early recovery of the patient, thereby reducing the overall stay at the hospital. It also reduces the overall cost of surgery.
- Less pain: The patients with laparoscopic prostate cancer surgery experience less pain during the postoperative period due to minimal incision and less damage to the healthy tissues. The patients are in lesser discomfort compared to conventional surgery. It reduces the requirement for pain relievers, or the dose of the painkillers may be tapered very fast. It reduces the side effects due to pain medications.
Eligibility for laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer
The laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer is performed in patients who have prostate cancer confined to the prostate and has less potential to metastasize from the prostate. The patient might not undergo laparoscopic pelvic surgery if he had undergone laparoscopic surgery to treat other diseases.
Preparing for laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer
The patient is asked several questions by the surgeon. The surgeon may ask you about the medical history or if the patient has undergone pelvic surgery in the past. The patients may undergo a comprehensive health examination to determine their eligibility for laparoscopic surgery for prostate cancer. The doctor may also provide laxative syrup that the patient may take to clean the intestine. The surgeon may also ask you to stop eating or drinking at least a day prior to surgery. The patient can maintain a clear, liquid diet. If you require taking the medication, take it with a sip of water. The doctor may recommend the patient stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin, that may increase the risk of bleeding during or after the surgery. You may also ask any query related to laparoscopic surgery.
How is the surgery performed?
The surgery for laparoscopic prostatectomy can be performed in the following steps:
- The surgery is done under general anesthesia. The doctor will administer an adequate dose of anesthesia to avoid any pain during the procedure.
- The surgeon makes a tiny incision and guides the laparoscope in the incision.
- The laparoscope is guided to the site of surgery. The laparoscope transmits images to the monitor.
- Based on the images, the doctor makes 2-3 small incisions.
- The doctor inserts the instruments in the incisions and performs the prostate surgery.
- Along with the prostate gland, the surgeon may also remove seminal vesicles, and the urethra is reattached to the bladder neck.
- Then, the surgeon closes the incision and covers it with bandages.
Taking care after the surgery
The patients should take care after the surgery by following the below measures:
- Keep the incision clean and dry, and change the dressing as directed.
- Take the drugs as instructed by the doctor.
- You may experience tingling, numbness, and discomfort. It is normal and will subside in a few days.
- Do not resume activities without consulting the doctor.
Versius Surgical Robot is an advanced robotic system that is used to perform minimally invasive surgeries through robotic arms. It offers several advantages over other minimally invasive procedures.
