Frequently Asked Questions > Prostate Surgery > What is an open prostatectomy?
Dr. Mani Menon has answered some of the most common questions about prostatectomy and robot-assisted surgery. Click on any of the questions here or use the search tool below to get the answers you're after.
What Is an Open Prostatectomy?
An open prostatectomy is the name for the conventional surgical removal of the prostate gland. This surgery is performed under general anesthesia and involves a large incision in the abdomen. The surgeon makes a cut starting just below the belly button and ending just above the penis. Surgery lasts from 2 to 4 hours. Patients typically stay in the hospital about 3 to 4 days following the operation.
While cancer control is excellent with an open prostatectomy, a patient will typically lose one fifth to one third of their total blood volume during this surgery. A patient is usually asked to donate two pints of blood one month before surgery to prepare for this blood loss; this blood is given back to the patient during surgery.
Last updated on September 3, 2010 by Dr. Mani Menon