What should you know about da Vinci radical prostatectomy?

It is used for selected people with prostate cancer that can be treated surgically. The surgeon also reconnects the bladder to the urethra, and a urinary catheter stays in place while that join heals. The robot assists movement and vision; it does not make decisions or perform the operation independently.

Urine leakage is expected after catheter removal and often improves as healing and pelvic-floor control progress. Erections can be weaker or absent because the nerves responsible lie close to the prostate. Whether nerve-sparing is appropriate depends on the tumour's position and the need to remove cancer safely.

After the prostate and seminal vesicles are removed, ejaculation is dry and natural fertility is lost. Orgasm may still be possible, although it can feel different. Discuss sperm storage before treatment if having biological children matters to you.

Before surgery, review all medicines and supplements with the team and follow their fasting instructions. Learn pelvic-floor exercises from a qualified clinician and ask when to practise them. Compare surgery with appropriate options such as external radiotherapy or brachytherapy in the context of your cancer stage, general health, urinary symptoms, and priorities.

At home, keep the catheter tubing free of kinks and the collection bag below bladder level. Walk gently, avoid straining and heavy lifting until cleared, and use prescribed pain relief and bowel medicines correctly. Do not remove the catheter yourself. Attend follow-up for catheter removal, tissue results, and later PSA monitoring.

Call the surgical service urgently if the catheter stops draining, falls out, or is accompanied by increasing lower abdominal pain. Also report fever, worsening wound redness, pus, persistent vomiting, or pain that is not controlled by the prescribed plan. Seek emergency care for chest pain, marked breathlessness, collapse, heavy bleeding, or sudden painful swelling in a leg.

Ask whether surgery is intended to cure the cancer, whether lymph nodes may be removed, and whether nerve-sparing is oncologically suitable. Request a personalised explanation of bladder-control and erectile-function expectations, catheter care, rehabilitation, pathology reporting, and what the PSA follow-up plan will show.