Urethral Catheter - less Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
For the treatment of prostatic cancer that has not spread outside of the prostate for men with a
life‐expectancy of >10 years, the current standard is the complete removal of the prostate and
seminal vesicles, joining the bladder to the urethra, known as a radical prostatectomy (RP).
The robotic assisted technique is globally the most popular minimally invasive alternative to open
surgery. The greater magnification and dexterity of the robotic arms, has given surgeons the
ability to provide minimally invasive precision surgery.
Besides the much smaller scars, the use of the robot leads to decreased blood loss and lower
transfusion rates. Perioperative pain is reduced, and there are fewer complications with shorter
hospital stays. Due to better overall recovery and decrease in postoperative pain, the focal point
of patients’ concern has shifted towards the discomfort experienced in the time around surgery;
for many patients this is related to the catheter in the urethra causing penile pain, irritation
and bladder spasms. Urethral damage and strictures or penile urethral tip stenosis can also occur
with transurethral catheters.
At Tan Urology, for selected men, we offer a urethral catheter-less technique, where the catheter is placed in the bladder through a small hole in the lower abdomen. This accomplishes the task of draining the bladder while the joint between the bladder and urethra (anastomosis) heals, sparing men the discomfort of the transurethral catheter.
