The laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in Poland includes a range of advantages. The first to mention is the great difference in a necessary skin cut – during the traditional surgery there is a need to perform an 8inch (20 cm) incision, it is also connected with more intense blood loss. During the laparoscopic prostatectomy, the surgeon performs five tiny incisions (smaller than 0,5 inch – 1 cm) each. The incisions are needed to enter the surgical instrument. The laparoscopic prostatectomy allows the surgeon to receive an unparalleled visualisation of the pelvic area which leads to very precise prostate removal. Other significant advantages of the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are:

• shorter hospital stay (comparing to the traditional prostatectomy surgery),
• faster healing (comparing to the traditional prostatectomy surgery),
• less pain after the surgery (comparing to the traditional prostatectomy surgery),
• shorter recovery time (comparing to the traditional prostatectomy surgery),
• significantly smaller incisions,
• significantly less scaring,
• a quick return to daily activities,
• possibility to get back to work in 2 weeks,
• less blood loss,
• much shorter catherer need (comparing to the open surgery where the catheter stays in for two to three weeks, after the laparoscopic prostatectomy patients have their catheters removed on the third day after the procedure.),
• saving of nerve-vascular structures responsible for the erection

You may see some bruising and swelling right after the laparoscopic prostatectomy. In the week after surgery, your penis and scrotum may swell. This usually gets better after 1 to 2 weeks. The incisions may be sore for 1 to 2 weeks. You will be prescripted painkillers to reduce the sore.
The laparoscopic prostatectomy is performed under the general anaesthesia, which means you will be asleep through the whole surgery. During the radical prostatectomy, the surgeon removes the prostate gland with surrounding tissues. The surgeon will reattach the urethra to a part of the bladder called the bladder neck. Sometimes there is also a need to remove the lymph nodes.

The radical laparoscopic procedure usually takes 3 hours to perform.

You will stay in the hospital for a minimum of 3 days because the doctors need to monitor your recovery and healing process. Just after the surgery, your diet will include fluids, but your medical consultant will give you a clear recommendation when to start eating normally again. Because the healing process is connected with blood circulation, you will have a session with the physical therapist who will walk with you very soon after the surgery. As the radical laparoscopic prostatectomy is a complex surgery, it is normal that you will feel tired for some time after the hospital discharge. You will receive the recommendations on how to behave after the laparoscopic prostatectomy procedure when you will be able to start sports activities etc.