Top Reasons to Ask Your Doctor About Laparoscopic Prostatectomy vs. Open Radical Prostatectomy

Posted on: 22 November 2021

If you have prostate cancer, your doctor might have suggested that you have a prostatectomy. In the past, when a person needed to have a prostatectomy, their doctor would schedule an open radical prostatectomy. When a radical prostatectomy is done, the surgeon makes an incision either in the lower abdomen or in the area between the anus and the scrotum. This type of surgery is done completely by a surgeon. Another option is a laparoscopic prostatectomy. With this procedure, a much smaller incision is made, and a long-handled camera is used -- along with other long-handled instruments -- to perform the surgery. The latter option is often better, so consider asking your doctor about a laparoscopic prostatectomy for these reasons and more.

There is a Smaller Incision

First of all, you should know that with radical prostatectomy, the incision that will be made is typically fairly long in size. With laparoscopic prostatectomy, on the other hand, the incision is typically very small. If you're worried about things like scarring, you'll probably prefer to go with the option that involves the smaller incision.

It's Often Less Painful

If you are like many people, then one thing that you might be really worried about in regards to your upcoming prostatectomy is the amount of pain that you're going to have to deal with. Unfortunately, it is to be expected to experience some pain and discomfort in the days after your procedure, whether you and your doctor opt for a laparoscopic or radical prostatectomy. However, laparoscopic prostatectomy is typically considered to be a less painful procedure.

There's Typically Less Blood Loss

Blood loss is a concern when having a prostatectomy. Because of this, it's important to be sure that your doctor knows if you are taking blood thinners, and you should advise any of your doctor's recommendations regarding this, such as if they advise you to stop taking your blood thinners in the days leading up to your procedure. Choosing a laparoscopic prostatectomy is another way to reduce blood loss, which greatly reduces overall risk during your procedure.

Recovery Time is Often Shorter

If you are someone who suffers from prostate cancer, you are probably ready to get surgery so that you can hopefully move on with your life as soon as possible. Of course, you will need to be prepared for recovery times after your procedure. If you'd like to reduce your recovery time and get back to living your life sooner, then you should ask your doctor about a laparoscopic prostatectomy.

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a prostate cancer surgery clinic near you.

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