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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffOpen prostatectomy can cause temporary problems right after surgery and can also cause long-term problems. Risks of open prostatectomy include:
- Urinary incontinence. In some men, open prostatectomy causes loss of bladder control and an urgent need to urinate. In most cases, this gets better after several weeks to several months.
- Dry orgasm. After prostatectomy, you can still have an orgasm during sex, but you'll ejaculate very little or no semen.
- Urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection is more likely to occur the longer you have a catheter in place, and may require antibiotics or other treatment.
- Erectile dysfunction. In some cases, open prostatectomy causes erectile dysfunction — the inability to maintain an erection firm enough to have sex. In some men it can improve over time, but in many men it's permanent.
- Narrowing (stricture) of the urethra or bladder neck. This condition blocks the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder, making urination difficult. It may require additional treatment to correct.
- Heavy bleeding. If you lose too much blood during surgery, you may require a blood transfusion. You may store your own blood ahead of time in case this occurs, or you may be given donor blood if needed. In some cases, the surgery area continues to bleed after the procedure and requires further treatment.
References
- AUA guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Baltimore, Md.: American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines/main-reports/-management/chapt_1_appendix.pdf. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- 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, 2009.
- Seur E, et al. Open prostatectomy is still a valid option for large prostates: A high-volume, single-center experience. Urology. 2008;72:90.
- Cunningham GR, et al. Surgical and other invasive therapies of benign prostatic hyperplasia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 12, 2009.
