A radical perineal prostatectomy is an operation for men with prostate cancer. It involves removing the entire prostate gland through an incision between the scrotum and anus. 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 canal from 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 your cancer. The operation is called a Radical Perineal Prostatectomy.

This involves the removal of your prostate gland through a small inverted U-shaped cut made between the anus and scrotum. When the prostate gland is removed, the ends of the urethra are joined back together. A catheter (drainage tube which drains urine from the bladder) is placed for 2 weeks, to allow for healing of the urethra.

A wound drain is also put in to drain any ooze from the operation site. The wound drain is a short, soft tube that is stitched into place and drains any ooze from your wound onto a dressing pad. The wound is closed with dissolving stitches, which dissolve 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 around 2 nights.