Answered by SecondMedic Expert
General Surgeon · General Surgery
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. It is located between the bladder and penis. The main function of the prostate is to secrete seminal fluid, which helps to nourish and transport sperm during ejaculation.
When a patient undergoes surgery to remove their prostate, it is known as a radical prostatectomy or total removal of the prostate gland. This procedure can be done by either open or robotic surgery, depending on various factors such as medical history, age, size of the tumor, etc.
There are several major risks associated with this type of surgery including bleeding, infection and damage to surrounding organs/tissues due to instruments used during the operation. In addition, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction may also occur after surgery.
If successful however, removal of the entire prostate (including any extension into nearby tissue) usually eliminates all cancerous cells from that area and confers long-term survival rates in excess of 90%. But following this procedure patients should still have regular checkups with their urologist for followup PSA tests - since cancer may spread outside its original location prior to detection by CT scans or MRI images at diagnosis time .
In terms of lifestyle changes after undergoing such an extensive operation; it’s recommended that men begin pelvic floor muscle exercises soon afterwards in order increase overall strength levels around bladder muscles – thus aiding continence control which may be compromised post op due reduced bladder support structures previously provided by natural muscle action within prostatic bed area itself . For sexual wellness , male impotence treatments (e g Viagra ) could provide useful respite if necessary too !
