About this topic
The prostate is a part of the mans body that helps make semen. The prostate is located at the base of the penis and in front of the rectum. The prostate is on all sides of the urethra at the base of the bladder in men. The urethra starts at the small opening at the end of the penis and joins the bladder. Sometimes, the prostate interferes with a man being able to pass urine. ‚
A prostatectomy is a procedure that removes all or a part of the prostate gland. Some of the tissue around the prostate may be removed. Lymph nodes in the area may be included. This surgery is done to: ‚
- Remove an enlarged prostate that is blocking the passage of urine
- Treat prostate cancer
- Treat prostate bleeding caused by an enlarged prostate
View OriginalView Original
View OriginalView Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- You will need to drain your urine bag when it is full. Be sure to wash your hands before and after taking care of the catheter and bag. Keep your urine bag below the level of your hips so the catheter can drain and collect urine.
- Clean the catheter and your penis at least twice a day. You can use soap and water.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- Ask your doctor about using ice or heat to help with pain.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Heat may be used later but not right away. Heat can make swelling worse. If your doctor tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on your painful part for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as you can get burned.
- You may use water-based gel on the tip of the penis to help with skin irritation.
- Your doctor may order compression stockings for you to wear while in bed to help the blood flow in the legs.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. Talk to the doctor about your test results. Together you can make a plan for more care.
- You may have stitches or staples. If so, your doctor will often want to remove the stitches or staples in 1 to 2 weeks.
- The urine catheter will be removed. Do not try to take the catheter out by yourself.
- You may need to be seen by other doctors who take care of men with prostate disease like a medical oncology doctor or a radiation oncology doctor. These doctors take care of patients with cancer.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
- Treat side effects like an upset stomach or throwing up
- Help with hard or loose stools
- Help with problems with sex
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Hole in the bladder
- Problems with urine control
- Problems with erection
- Reduced sexual activity
- You may not be able to father a child
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal, or pain.
- Signs of wound infection such as swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Not able to pass urine
- Not able to have a bowel movement
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site and catheter, if I have one.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, or am not able to pass urine or have a bowel movement.
Where can I learn more?
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=120 ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=31 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚