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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffOpen prostatectomy is surgery to remove part of an enlarged prostate that's causing urinary symptoms.
Open prostatectomy is generally reserved for men who have a very large prostate, severe urinary symptoms or other problems that need to be corrected during surgery. During open prostatectomy, the part of your prostate blocking urine flow is removed through a cut (incision) below your navel. Or it may be done by making several smaller incisions in the abdomen (laporascopically). Sometimes, robot assistance is used during prostatectomy.
Open prostatectomy is one of several options for treating an enlarged prostate, a condition also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). To determine the best treatment choice for you, your doctor will consider the severity of your symptoms, what other health problems you have, and the size and shape of your prostate. Open prostatectomy is generally reserved for men who have relatively large prostates and for men for whom other surgical treatment options are not available.
Before doing any enlarged prostate procedure, your doctor may want to do a test that uses a visual scope to look inside your urethra and bladder (cystoscopy). This allows the doctor to check the size of your prostate and examine your urinary system. Your doctor may also want to do other tests, such as blood tests or tests to measure urine flow.
- Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Linthicum, Md.: American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph. Accessed Jan. 27, 2011.
- Han M. Retropubic and suprapubic open prostatectomy. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128042617-3/0/1445/92.html?tocnode=54305512&fromURL=92.html. Accessed March 25, 2011.
- Thiel DD, et al. Electroresection and open surgery. Urologic Clinics of North America. 2009;36:461.
- Matlaga BR, et al. Surgery for benign prostatic hypertrophy. In: Graham SD, et al. Glenn's Urologic Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010:166.
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