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radical retropubic prostatectomy

(RA-dih-kul reh-troh-PYOO-bik PROS-tuh-TEK-toh-mee)
Surgery to remove the entire prostate and some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles (a gland that helps make semen). Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed. During a radical retropubic prostatectomy, an incision (cut) is made in the wall of the lower abdomen, behind the pubic bone. An attempt is made to protect the nerves that control penile erection and the bladder from damage.
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Two panel drawing showing two ways of doing a radical prostatectomy; in the first panel, dotted line shows where incision is made through the wall of the abdomen for a retropubic prostatectomy; in the second panel, dotted line shows where incision is made in area between the scrotum and the anus for a perineal prostatectomy.Enlarge this image in new window
Two types of radical prostatectomy. In a retropubic prostatectomy, the prostate is removed through an incision in the wall of the abdomen. In a perineal prostatectomy, the prostate is removed through an incision in the area between the scrotum and the anus.
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