More than 180,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Many urologists recommend and perform a radical prostatectomy – a complete removal of the prostate gland when the prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland. However, Barnes-Jewish Hospital is the only center in the region to offer a state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedure – laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The Hospital is one of about a dozen centers in the country that perform this minimally invasive surgery.

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy involves inserting a lighted viewing instrument, a laparoscope, into the pelvic region through one tiny incision. Unlike an open prostatectomy, where surgeons use a large abdominal incision to access the prostate, the laparoscopic radical prostatectomy allows the surgeon to examine and remove the prostate through one small incision, about one inch long, and three puncture sites.

There are a number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy versus an open prostatectomy. These include:

• less time in the operating room, which equals a shorter time under anesthesia;
• reduced blood less, which equals less risk of needing a blood transfusion;
• smaller incision, which equal less pain and shorter recovery time;
• less pain, which equals less pain medication needed;
• shorter hospital stay, which equals a faster return to everyday living;
• nerve-sparing procedure, which equals preservation of urinary and sexual function.

Almost every man who is eligible for an open prostatectomy is eligible for a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Because the surgery is technically quite difficult, patients should look for surgeons experienced in laparoscopic radical prostatectomies. The skilled Washington University urologists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital typically complete the surgery in two to four hours.

At Barnes-Jewish Hospital, two Washington University urologists specialize in minimally invasive prostatectomies: Gerald L. Andriole, MD. Since 2001, when Dr. Andriole began performing laparoscopic prostatectomies at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the percentage of prostatectomies performed laparoscopically has steadily grown as the benefits of this procedure to the patients have been clearly evident.

For more information on how to make an appointment with a urologist specializing in laparoscopic prostatectomies, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.