Radical Prostatectomy Surgery- Condensed - Medical Animation
This 3D medical animation shows the laparoscopic removal of a cancerous prostate gland and its surrounding tissues.
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland in men. It is located at the base of the bladder and wraps around the urethra. Cancer of the prostate is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure in which the prostate gland, surrounding tissue, and seminal vesicles are removed. Depending on your situation, your surgeon may also choose to remove some lymph nodes. In an open retropubic prostatectomy, the prostate is removed through an incision in the lower part of the abdomen. In an open perineal prostatectomy, the prostate is removed through an incision in the perineum which lies between the rectum and the scrotum. In laparoscopic prostatectomy, your surgeon places instruments into your abdominal cavity through small keyhole incisions or ports. He or she dissects the prostate from its surrounding structures and removes the gland through one of the slightly widened ports. Depending on whether the cancer has spread, your surgeon may also remove tissue surrounding the prostate gland, including the seminal vesicles and lymph nodes. Regardless of the type of procedure, your surgeon will carefully inspect the area around the prostate before removing any tissue, taking care to minimize damage to nerves in the area. At the end of the operative procedure, a catheter would be put into your bladder to keep it drained. This will usually be left in place for 10 days to 2 weeks after surgery.
