WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about perineal prostatectomy? A perineal prostatectomy is surgery to remove your prostate gland. How do I prepare for surgery? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. You will need to be on a clear liquid diet the day before your surgery. He may also tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of your surgery. What will happen during surgery? Your healthcare provider will make an incision between your scrotum and anus. He will move layers of skin, tissue, and muscle to get to your prostate. Your healthcare provider will cut your prostate gland away from your urethra (tube that drains urine from your bladder). He will reattach your bladder to your urethra and place a Foley catheter to drain urine. Your healthcare provider may make another incision in your abdomen and remove lymph nodes. Your incisions will be closed with stitches and covered with a bandage. Your prostate gland will be sent to a lab for testing. What are the risks of surgery? Surgery may increase your risk for bleeding or an infection. Nerves, organs, or tissues near your prostate may be injured during surgery. After surgery, you may leak urine and bowel movements. Urine leakage may be short-term or permanent. You may have trouble having an erection or ejaculating. You may get a blood clot in your leg. This may become life-threatening. |