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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffOpen prostatectomy eases urinary symptoms and complications resulting from blocked urine flow. These can include:
- A frequent, urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination
- Slow (prolonged) urination
- Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
- Stopping and starting again while urinating
- The feeling you can't completely empty your bladder
- Urinary tract infections
Open prostatectomy may also be done to treat or prevent complications due to blocked urine flow, such as:
- Recurring urinary tract infections
- Kidney malfunction or kidney damage
- Bladder damage, which can result in an inability to control urination (incontinence)
- Blood in your urine
- Bladder stones
Open prostatectomy works well at relieving urinary symptoms, but it's more involved and has a higher risk of complications than other enlarged prostate procedures. It also requires a longer recovery time. For this reason, open prostatectomy is done in only certain circumstances. It may be an option if you have:
- A very large prostate
- Bladder problems or other problems that can also be repaired during surgery
- Bladder stones
- Heavy prostate bleeding
New techniques and technology have made less invasive procedures an alternative to open prostatectomy for many men. Other enlarged prostate procedures include transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), laser surgery such as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) or laser photovaporization of the prostate (PVP), and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).
- 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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