Does Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy require a catheter, drain, dressings, or stitches?
Yes. Like any radical prostatectomy, LRP requires reconstruction of the bladder-urethra connection. A catheter is left in the urethra, connected to a drainage bag, and used to align the healing suture line and drain the bladder. In the immediate post-op period, LRP also requires a drain. The drain assures the collection of blood and urine that may accumulate immediately after surgery and is removed when the output drops, usually the morning after surgery. There are stitches, but these dissolve by themselves and require no special care. The surgical dressings for LRP are five band-aid dots used to cover the instrument entry sites. These dressings are generally removed 48 hours after surgery. Can I bathe after LRP? Yes. Most patients have showered within 24 hours of surgery. How would I feel immediately after LRP? Patients leave the operating room with an intravenous line, a urethral catheter, and a small rubber drain in their lower abdomen. After recovering from anesthesia, almost all p
