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Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy involves removal of the
prostate using less invasive techniques than are employed
with traditional surgery. A telescopic instrument called
a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small
incision at the belly button. A camera attached to the laparoscope
allows surgeons to view inside the abdomen and perform the
surgery without having to make a large incision. Usually
4 more small incisions are made in the abdomen to accomodate
surgical instruments and the surgery is performed by 2 surgeons,
one on each side of the patient.
Since this technique is less invasive, patients spend much
less time in the hospital (usually 2 nights as compared
with 5 nights with traditional surgery) and the recovery
tends to be faster. Blood loss is also considerably less
with this technique.
On the downside, this is a relatively new technique and
not available at many centres, so the data on long-term
follow-up and cancer control is not yet available. |
