What a Radical Prostatectomy Removes

The prostate sits below the bladder and surrounds the upper urethra. During surgery, the prostate and attached seminal vesicles are separated from the bladder and urethra. The bladder is then joined back to the urethra so urine can pass. A urinary catheter supports this join while it heals. Depending on tumour features, the surgeon may try to preserve nearby nerve bundles involved in erections, but cancer control and anatomy influence whether preservation is suitable.

Before deciding, discuss the operation's purpose, surgical approach, lymph-node removal, and alternatives such as radiotherapy or brachytherapy. Tell the team about medicines that affect bleeding and follow their instructions on taking or pausing them. After discharge, follow guidance for catheter care, wound care, lifting, driving, pelvic-floor exercises, and gradual activity. Urinary leakage and erection changes can occur; rehabilitation options can be discussed before and after treatment.

Get urgent advice for a catheter that stops draining with increasing lower-abdominal pain, heavy or persistent bleeding, chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or painful swelling in a leg. Fever, worsening wound redness, pus, escalating pain, repeated vomiting, or inability to pass urine after catheter removal also need prompt assessment. Use the discharge team's contact route because instructions may vary with the operation and recovery stage.

Ask whether lymph nodes are expected to be removed, whether nerve-sparing is reasonable, and what the pathology report will describe. Clarify the expected catheter plan, continence support, erectile-function rehabilitation, and which result might lead to additional treatment or monitoring.