What is laparoscopic prostate surgery?
Prostate surgery is typically done through a 5 to 7 inch incision below the belly button or a crescent-shaped incision behind the scrotum. Both of these approaches allow ‘open’ access to the prostate. The prostate is deep in the pelvis, however, and the nerves and muscles for normal erections and urination are difficult to see. Laparoscopy refers to surgery done with out making an incision open to the air. Rather, small tubes are inserted into the body to allow magnifying lenses and instruments to be inserted through ¼ or ½ inch incisions. The first operations which were successful were to remove the gall bladder, the ovaries, and other internal organs. Prostate removal is of the most difficult and challenging. However, once mastered, laparoscopic removal of the prostate may be better than the traditional open operation.
