Know the Types, Risks, and Complications of Prostate Surgery

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Initially, prostate surgery can be one of the steps in cancer treatment. Surgery is performed on cancers that have not spread to other organs outside the prostate. In addition, in the case of benign enlargement of the prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), surgery can also be performed.

Prostatectomy is usually a prostate surgery that involves removing part or all of the prostate. In prostate cancer, surgery is aimed at removing cancerous tissue, whereas in BPH it involves removing the tissue from the prostate and restoring normal urinary function.
Types of prostate surgery

As explained earlier, radical prostatectomy surgery is a surgery that is generally performed. In this type of surgery, the entire prostate and surrounding tissue will be removed, including the seminal vesicles. Radical prostatectomy surgery can be performed retropubically (through an incision below the navel) or perineal (through an incision between the rectum and scrotum).

In addition to open surgery, advances in technology allow minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. The advantage of this type of surgery is a small surgical incision, so the healing period is faster and the pain is lighter.

To facilitate urination due to BPH, patients can undergo prostate surgery with a laser to cut the prostate without an incision, endoscopically (with a device inserted into the tip of the penis). The most common operation in patients with BPH is dilation of the urethra, which is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This operation cuts the enlarged prostate. The incision will enter the bladder and drain at the end of the procedure.
Risk of prostate surgery

During each operation, there must be a risk to the patient. Possible risks during prostate surgery include the effects of anesthesia, bleeding, infection at the surgical site and blood clots (thrombi) in the legs or lungs. If prostate surgery is accompanied by removal of the surrounding lymph nodes, lymphocele problems can occur due to accumulation of lymphatic fluid and drainage must be done.

Bowel injury is a rare risk that can occur during prostate surgery. This condition can cause infection in the stomach and may require additional surgery to improve the condition. Intestinal lesions are more common in laparoscopic surgery than in open surgery.

The worst risk that can occur is death due to surgical complications. This depends on various factors, such as general health, age and the ability of the team responsible for the operation. However, this condition is very rare in prostate surgery.
Complications after prostate surgery

Prostate surgery, due to prostate cancer and prostate enlargement, can cause side effects. Two main side effects that can occur after surgery are:
1. Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is defined as a condition when a person cannot resist urinating. This condition can occur at various levels of severity and can interfere with the affected person, both physically, emotionally and socially.

Urinary incontinence can occur due to stress, coughing, laughing, sneezing, or physical activity. Stress urinary incontinence is the most common complication after prostate surgery. This is due to interference with the valve that holds urine in the bladder. In addition, urination disorders due to narrowing of the urinary tract due to surgical wounds can also occur.

. 2.Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction or impotence is one of the complications that can occur after prostate surgery. Erections are controlled by two nerves that cross both sides of the prostate. If, before surgery, you have a good erectile function, your doctor will try to approach the nerves that are spared, which is to cut off part of the prostate without removing the nerves.

However, in the case of prostate cancer that reaches the nerve or is very close, this approach cannot be applied. The doctor will remove both nerves so that you cannot experience spontaneous erections. If only one side of the nerve is lifted, you still have the option of an erection.

The incidence of erectile dysfunction after prostate surgery depends on erectile ability, age, and anterior health status. After surgery, a recovery period is needed to get an erection back. The recovery period can last from several months to 2 years depending on the conditions.

In addition to the above two, other complications can occur, including changes in orgasm, infertility in radical prostatectomy, lymphedema or enlarged lymph nodes, and inguinal hernias. If you have symptoms of complications after prostate surgery, you should visit a doctor.

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