Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
The presence of symptoms is indicative of the disease. Age also has an associated risk for an enlarged prostate, and can help establish diagnostic criteria.
Men must have a special blood test called the prostate specific antigen (PSA) and routine...
digital rectal examination (DRE) before surgery. If the PSA levels and DRE are suspiciously indicative of prostate cancer, a transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate must be performed before open prostatectomy, to detect the presence of prostate cancer (carcinoma).
Additionally, preoperative patients should have lower urinary tract studies, including urinary flow rate and post void residual urine in the bladder. Because most patients are age 60 or older, preoperative evaluation should also include a detailed history and physical examination; standard blood tests; chest x ray; and electrocardiogram (EKG) to detect any possible preexisting conditions.
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Other Information
A prostatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. Abnormalities of the prostate, such as a tumour, or if the gland itself becomes enlarged for any reason, can restrict the normal flow of urine along the urethra.
Open Prostatectomy
A surgical procedure involving a skin incision and enucleation of the prostatic adenoma, through the prostatic capsule (RPP-retropubic prostatectomy) or through the bladder (SPP-suprapubic prostatectomy). Reserved for extremely large prostates.
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