RALRP is surgery performed to treat localised prostate cancer. It is performed under general anaesthetic and takes about 4 hours. Six small cuts are made in the abdomen, and a camera scope, as well as laparoscopic instruments, are placed through these port sites. These instruments are then attached to robotic arms on a device called a daVinci robot, and the surgeon then controls these robotic arms from a separate console.

Rezūm is a new clinically proven and minimally invasive treatment that utilises the natural energy stored in water vapour to relieve prostatic obstruction. Rezūm can be performed as a day surgery procedure.

During the treatment, sterile water vapor is released into the targeted prostate tissue. As the steam turns back into water, cell damage occurs in the treated area. Over time, the necrotic tissue is resorbed, resulting in widening of the prostatic urethra, and relief of symptoms.

SWL, or “shockwave treatment” uses powerful sound waves to break up stones in the kidney or upper ureter. It has been used for many years, and has been proven to be effective, safe and well-tolerated. The great benefit of shockwave treatment is that it’s non-invasive and therefore much less painful than other stone treatments.

TRANS-URETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE GLAND (TURP) AND BLADDER NECK INCISION (BNI)

TURP and/or BNI are performed to relieve blockage to the bladder outlet from benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate gland. A thin scope called a resectoscope is passed through the urethra into the prostate and an electrical loop is used to shave away the central part of the prostate that is causing  blockage. The operation usually provides significant and permanent improvement in urinary symptoms.

URETEROSCOPY AND LASER STONE FRAGMENTATION

This is a commonly performed procedure to eliminate urinary tract stones (also known as calculi) from the ureter or the kidney.

It is a very safe and precise procedure with a very low complication rate and a high success rate. Very occasionally, usually due to a patient’s anatomy, it may not be possible to reach a stone in the first instance. If this is the case, Dr Patel will arrange repeat or alternative treatment for you.

Vasectomy is performed to render a man permanently sterile.

The procedure does not affect a man’s general health, sexual performance or sexual enjoyment in any physical way.

After the procedure, sterility will only be confirmed by a semen analysis showing zero sperm. This test should be done when you have ejaculated at least 20 times after the operation.

TRANSPERINEAL BIOPSY OF THE PROSTATE GLAND

Transperineal biopsy is performed to determine if there is cancer present in the prostate gland.

The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic as a day surgery procedure. Under anaesthesia, an ultrasound probe is placed in the rectum, as shown, to visualise the prostate. A perforated grid (template) is then placed against the perineum (the area of skin in males between the scrotum and the anus) and this is used to direct the biopsy needle into different parts of the prostate under ultrasound guidance.

 TRANS-RECTAL ULTRASOUND (TRUS) & BIOPSY OF THE PROSTATE

A biopsy is performed to determine if there is cancer present in the prostate gland. Multiple small “cores” of prostate tissue are taken from different areas of the gland and sent to a pathologist for examination. An ultrasound probe is used to visualise the gland and determine which part of the prostate the biopsies are taken from.

If there is a significant cancer present, a prostate biopsy is approximately 85-90% accurate in finding it. Because it is a sampling process, some small cancers may be missed on initial biopsy. However, ongoing surveillance will usually pick up any undetected cancer when it is still at an early stage.

Radical prostatectomy is performed to treat localised prostate cancer. It is performed under general anaesthetic and takes about 2-3 hours. Dr Patel has recommended surgery for you with the expectation that you will make a good recovery.

The whole prostate gland and seminal vesicles are removed in the operation. Sometimes, nearby lymph nodes are removed during the operation. The overall cure rate for RRP nowadays is around 80-90%

Urodynamic testing is performed to assess problems with passing urine, such as frequency, urgency, leakage, waking to pass urine many times at night and poor urinary flow. This test is particularly useful in people who have not responded to simple treatments or if symptoms have returned after surgery. In addition, people with neurological conditions (ie. stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal injuries, Alzheimer’s disease) may need a urodynamic test to evaluate their urinary symptoms.