A radical retropubic prostatectomy is an operation for men with prostate cancer. It involves removing the entire prostate gland through an incision in the lower abdomen. The prostate gland is a small but important gland in the male reproductive system. Its main job is to produce secretions that make up part of the semen protecting and enriching the sperm. The prostate gland sits just below the bladder and surrounds the neck of the bladder and the beginning of the urethra (the tube through which you pass your urine).

Your urologist has determined that you have prostate cancer and that it is likely that it has not spread outside the prostate gland.

You and your urologist have decided on surgical removal of the prostate gland as a treatment for the cancer. The operation is called a Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy. This may involve firstly the removal of the pelvic lymph nodes and then the prostate gland through an incision in the lower abdomen.

The lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which is the cleansing system of the body. The pelvic lymph nodes drain the prostate gland and if the cancer is of a higher grade and spreads from the prostate, the lymph nodes are the first port-of-call. If the lymph nodes do need to be removed through the abdominal incision at the start of the surgery, they are sent directly to the laboratory where they are examined for any signs of cancer spread. If the lymph nodes are clear, the urologist then goes on to remove the prostate gland. In the unlikely event that there are any signs of cancer spread in the lymph nodes, surgery would stop at this stage and other treatment options would be offered.

If the lymph nodes are removed, once it has been determined that they are clear and the prostate gland has been removed, the ends of the urethra are joined back together. A catheter (flexible tube that drains the bladder) is placed for 2 weeks to allow for healing of the urethra. A wound drain is put in the lower abdomen to drain any ooze, this usually stays in for 2 days. The wound is closed with staples, or a dissolving stitch, which dissolves slowly in the months following your operation.

Radical prostatectomy is a commonly performed operation that takes 2-3 hours to do and involves a hospital stay of 3 - 4 nights.