What should you know about radical prostatectomy complications?

Radical prostatectomy removes the prostate and usually the seminal vesicles to treat selected prostate cancer. Because the operation is close to the bladder outlet, urinary sphincter, nerves and bowel, possible effects include urine leakage, erectile difficulty, bleeding, infection, blood clots and narrowing where the bladder joins the urethra. Many changes improve with time, but your surgical team should monitor them.

A catheter is commonly used while the connection between the bladder and urethra heals. Leakage may occur after catheter removal, especially with coughing or activity. Nerve changes can make erections difficult, and recovery depends on the nerves, baseline function and treatment details. Less common concerns include wound problems, urinary infection, lymph fluid collection or a blood clot. Your pathology result may also determine whether additional cancer treatment is discussed.

Follow catheter, wound and medication instructions exactly, keep walking gently as advised, and avoid heavy lifting until cleared. Pelvic-floor exercises can support bladder control when taught by the team. Ask when sexual rehabilitation or medicines may begin. Keep follow-up visits even if symptoms are improving, because urinary flow, continence, erections and pathology need separate review.

Contact the hospital for fever, worsening wound redness, pus, increasing pain, inability to pass urine, a blocked catheter or bleeding that does not settle. Seek urgent care for sudden chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, severe leg swelling or coughing blood, which can signal a serious clot or other emergency. Do not wait for a routine appointment when symptoms are rapidly worsening.

Which complications are more relevant to my operation? When should the catheter come out? How will you support continence and erectile recovery? Which activities should I avoid? What symptoms require an emergency call? Could radiotherapy or another treatment be considered from my pathology result?