Laparoscopic prostatectomy is a surgical procedure used to treat prostate cancer.

Many prostate cancer patients understand that surgery is one of their treatment options. But what they sometimes don’t realized, especially right away, is that there different kinds of surgeries used to treat prostate cancer. And each surgery has its own pros and cons.

Laparoscopic prostatectomy is a more modern form of radical prostatectomy, which is no doubt the oldest treatment for prostate cancer. A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure during which all or part of the prostate gland is removed. A laparoscopic prostatectomy, on the other hand, isn’t as invasive a surgery as its predecessor. It is a robotic procedure in which modern technologies (like fiber optics) are used to perform the surgery.

The goal of both kinds of radical prostatectomy is to remove the entire prostate, and reconstruct the urethra so that it leads directly to the bladder. The difference is in the specific methods used to do this. For example, in a laparoscopic prostatectomy, no large incision is made, and the abdominal wall doesn’t have to be parted and stretched in order for the surgeon to access the deep pelvis.

One of the major benefits of a laparoscopic prostatectomy is that there is very little bleeding during surgery. Excessive bleeding is responsible for many of the problems and complications experienced during some surgeries. But compared to a radical prostatectomy, the bleeding encountered during a laparoscopic prostatectomy is minimal. As a result, fewer transfusions are needed, which decreases the chances of the patient experiencing allergic reactions, anemia, cardiovascular complications, and infections.

Probably the biggest drawback of a laparoscopic prostatectomy is that its success depends largely on the experience of the physician performing the surgery. And finding someone with that kind of expertise can be challenging. However, there are also many benefits.

Unlike a traditional prostatectomy, a laparoscopic prostatectomy doesn’t cause the patient as much pain and discomfort. In fact, all many patients need to deal with any pain or discomfort they do feel in the first twenty four hours or so is a couple of Tylenol.

This surgery can last between five and eight hours. However, patients who undergo laparoscopic prostatectomy tend to enjoy a very fast recovery time when compared to traditional prostate cancer surgeries. Many patients have the surgery one day, stay in the hospital overnight, and are able to leave the hospital the next day.

For anyone who is unsure about other prostate cancer treatments, laparoscopic prostatectomy is an option they should definitely consider.