Any experience with Robotic assisted simple prostatectomy (RASP)?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Lizzie

@lizziew Happy Thanksgiving to everyone up there.
I still don't know what it's all about. Something about pardoning a turkey(?)
I thought Hunter had already been pardoned.

@peterj116

Good one!

@heavyphil

I had this procedure in April 2025 due to an enlarged prostate. There was no cancer, I was just tired of dealing with multiple visits to the bathroom
The operation went fine but the week long wearing of the catheter did not go well.
My bladder was overactive causing some pain and urine was coming out from outside the catheter.
I went to the Emergency room and they checked me out and I went home
Two days later, my feet and ankles were swollen and was told to get to the Emergency room to get a cat scan to make sure I did not have a blood clot in the leg. After 6 hours there, they kept me overnight for observation.
I had the catheter removed one day early because nothing was going into the catheter bag
I was real good for the first 7-10 days then I started having issues with urine spraying out and coming out sideways.
I ended up having a stricture in the urethra so my doctor had to do a urethral dilation, opening up the urethra so I could go normally again. I had to self dilate every day for 30 days, then went to every other day. The doctor is trying to get me from having to do this anymore but I told him I do not want the urethra going back to its normal size and giving me the same problem again because the next step is not a good option.
Everything has been working well since he did the dilation for me on May 28 and I certainly hope it will continue.

@kanga, welcome. Have you recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer? Are you considering surgery?

Hi gentlemen,

Hubby had robot assisted simple prostatectomy on Monday. It went well, and hubby came home the next day. He was miserable the first day, and the catheter has been a real pain. Can’t wait for Monday to get here, and catheter comes out.

We just got the pathology report this afternoon.

Prostatic adenocarcinoma, Gleason score/pattern 3 + 3 = 6 (grade group 1).
Carcinoma involves less than 5% of the sampled tissue.
Carcinoma is focally present at a blue inked specimen surface.
Background prostate tissue with glandular and stromal hyperplasia.

His initial Gleason score after biopsy was 3+4=7.

Because the capsule still remains, is there a chance he may still need radiation, or because the Gleason has been downgraded, no radiation?
He can just go back to active surveillance and regular PSA testing?
We have sent a message to his doctor to get a definitive answer.

I know most of the gentleman on this forum are not doctors, but would love some opinions. Thank you.

Lizzie

@lizziew So he basically had a TURP on steroids - which is taking out all the innards but leaving the capsule. Were there external incisions or all done thru urethra?
His Gleason 3+3 is the lowest score you can get - some would argue even borderline cancer - and the small percentage they found is extremely GOOD as far as any future treatment is concerned.
I don’t know why radiation is even being brought up at this point but maybe just to temper any expectations…take the WIN and go home!
Phil

@lizziew
I had robotic surgery done one month ago. The surgery went very well. The only problem I have is leaking. It leaks more during night time or when I walk. No doubt the catheter is a pain. He will be relived once the catheter is removed.
I have follow up appt. to see surgeon. He has asked to get PSA checked prior to an appt.
Good luck.

Thank you for you reply. Happy to hear you are doing well. Did you have RASP, RARP, or RALP?
RASP is similar to TURP, except the point of entry is different. Hubby had five incisions in his abdomen. He is sore, of course, but his pain is manageable. The first day of surgery was brutal, so very glad to get each day further away from surgery day.
Hubby has prostate cancer, and will need radiation in a couple of months. RASP is a de-bulking procedure, and leaves the prostate capsule. It does not address cancer, so that is why the follow up is radiation.

Lizzie