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A prostatectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland. Abnormalities of the prostate, such as a tumour, or if the gland itself becomes enlarged for any reason, can restrict the normal flow of urine along the urethra.

There are several forms of the operation:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): a cystoscope is passed up the urethra to the prostate, where the surrounding prostate tissue is excised. This is a common operation for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and outcomes are excellent for a high percentage of these patients (80-90%). A more refined and safer operation is by means of a holmium high powered "red" laser. This technique has been well documented as being the only laser operation that is of higher standard than the "old" TURP operation.
• open prostatectomy: A surgical procedure involving a skin incision and enucleation of the prostatic adenoma, through the prostatic capsule (RPP-retropubic prostatectomy) or through the bladder (SPP-suprapubic prostatectomy). Reserved for extremely large prostates.
• Laparoscopic: a laparoscopic or four small incisions are made in the abdomen, and the entire prostate is removed sparing nerves more easily damaged by a retropubic or suprapubic approach. Laparoscopic prostatectomy has more advantages than the radical perineal or retropubic operation and is more economical than the robot assisted technique.
• Robotic-assisted prostatectomy: Laparoscopic robotic arms are controlled by a surgeon. The robot gives the surgeon much more dexterity than conventional laparoscopy while offering the same advantages over open prostatectomy: much smaller incisions, less pain, less bleeding, less risk of infection, faster healing time, and shorter hospital stay.^[1]. While the cost of such procedures is high, costs are declining rapidly ^[2].
• Radical perineal prostatectomy: an incision is made in the perineum, midway between rectum and scrotum, and the prostate is removed. Radical prostatectomy is one of the key treatments for prostate cancer.
• Radical retropubic prostatectomy: an incision is made in the lower abdomen, and the prostate removed, by going behind the pubic bone (retropubic). Radical prostatectomy is one of the key treatments for prostate cancer.

• Transurethral plasmakinetic vaporization prostatectomy (TUPVP).

• Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide

1. ^ Center for the Advancement of Health; August 29, 2005; Robot-assisted Prostate Surgery Has Possible Benefits, High Cost [1]
2. ^ Cost Analysis of Radical Retropubic, Perineal, and Robotic Prostatectomy; Scott V. Burgess, Fatih Atug, Erik P. Castle, Rodney Davis, Raju Thomas; Journal of Endourology 2006 20:10, 827-830 [2]