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Radical Perineal Prostatectomy

Genitourinary

Our Services

 

Urology

 

This handout tells you how to prepare for radical perineal prostatectomy surgery.  Your nurse will go over this information with you.  Please ask questions.  If you have concerns after you go home, please call the numbers listed at the end of this handout.

 

What is radical perineal prostatectomy surgery?

 

Radical Perineal Prostatectomy surgery is one treatment for prostate cancer.  The prostate gland is removed through the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus).

 

 

The operation may cause:

 

A temporary or permanent loss of bladder control

  • The inability to have an erection in 30-80% of cases.  This depends on many factors and may be treatable by medicine and/or surgery.
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Rectal injury
  • Scar formation in the urethra

 

Before Surgery

 

To be in the best possible condition for surgery:

 

  • Exercise
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Take iron supplements, if told to do so

 

To prepare for your surgery, you will be asked to clean out your bowels (bowel prep).  You will be given a separate handout for the bowel prep with specific directions.

 

Immediately After Surgery

 

You will have:

 

  • A tube in your arm called an “IV” to give you fluids.
  • Oxygen tube in your nose.
  • A perineal incision with stitches that will dissolve over time.
  • A soft rubber drain coming out of the incision for wound drainage.
  • A tube called a Foley catheter in your penis to drain urine out of your bladder.  You will go home with this tube.
  • Elastic stocking (TEDS) and/or inflatable stocking (Venodynes)

 

Activity

 

You may be out of bed soon after you are awake.  Moving and walking are very important to your recovery.  Pain medicine will make it easier for you to move.  You will be encouraged to walk and sit on in a chair several times a day.

 

Your Care at Home

 

  • You will be given instructions on how to care for your Foley catheter and how to apply leg bags before you leave the hospital.
  • You may shower, but don’t take tub baths while you have the catheter in place.
  • No strenuous activities, exercise, jogging or lifting over 15-20 pounds for six weeks after surgery.  You may climb stairs.  You may take short, leisurely walks daily.
  • You can expect your urine to be light cherry to pink.  It will clear slowly.
  • Drink a lot of fluids.
  • Do not drive until your doctor tells you it is OK to do so (usually 2-3 weeks)
  • Take antibiotics, stool softeners and pain medicine as prescribed.

 

When to Call the Doctor

 

Call the doctor if you have any of these:

 

  • Temperature by mouth over 100.4°F for two reading, 4 hours apart.
  • Shaking chills
  • Redness, swelling, warmth or thick pus-like drainage at your incision site
  • Swelling in feet or legs or severe pain in calves, thighs or lower legs
  • Catheter not draining
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain go to your local Emergency Room or call 911.

 

Follow-up Care and Clinic Visits

 

One Week after Surgery

 

We will have you come to the clinic for a check-up.  We will check your incision.  At this time, we will review your final pathology report with you.  The catheter will remain in.  We will answer any questions you may have.

 

Two Weeks after Surgery

 

Your catheter will be taken out.  We will fill your bladder with saline, then take the catheter out and ask you to urinate.  We will measure how much saline was put into your bladder and how much you are able to urinate after the catheter is removed.  After the catheter is removed you may have a temporary loss of bladder control.  Please bring some adult diapers with you for this visit.

 

You can expect to have urinary dribbling (incontinence) especially when changing from a lying to a standing position.  You may be asked to do exercises (Kegel exercises) after your catheter is removed.  These exercises help to strengthen the urinary sphincter and improve urinary control.


 

Phone numbers

 

If you have questions or concerns, please call:

 

Urology Clinic, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm at (608) 263-4757

 

Your Urologist is Dr. __________________________.

 

On nights, weekends, and holidays, this number will give you the paging operator.  Ask for the urology doctor on call.  Give the operator your name and phone number wit the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, please 1-800-323-8942.

 

Your Medical Record number is _____________________.



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/03/2009

Copyright © 03/25/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #4873

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