Nerve-sparing prostatectomy

The Birmingham Prostate Clinic is dedicated to providing nerve-sparing prostatectomy surgery whenever possible, as this technique offers valued long term benefits to patients.

A traditional radical prostatectomy involves using wide margins around the prostate, causing damage to the nerves which control the blood supply to the penis. This approach was used because it was understood to be the safest way of eradicating cancer cells. However it causes impotency.

A surgical technique has now been developed by Mr Alan Doherty, Medical Director of The Birmingham Prostate Clinic, which enables him to remove the prostate without harming the adjacent nerves.

The main benefit of nerve-sparing surgery is that the majority of men able to have sex prior to the operation will also be able to do so afterwards. This type of surgery, known as a nerve-sparing prostatectomy, is only possible when the cancer is confined to the prostate.

Nerve-sparing surgery is becoming increasingly common because prostate cancer is being identified earlier in many patients.

Mr Doherty has undertaken more than 700 ‘radical’ prostatectomies.

Among patients under the age of 60, who have normal erectile function before the operation, Mr Doherty is able to achieve a rate of 60-70 per cent regaining erectile function after the operation.

Mr Doherty is also able to offer nerve-sparing surgery with a laparoscopic (keyhole) approach rather than an open operation. Until very recently, it was not possible to achieve the same success rates for nerve-sparing with laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery.

Now, Mr Doherty’s nerve-sparing rates for keyhole surgery are as good as those for his open surgery.

“Nerve-sparing surgery requires a huge amount of skill,” comments Mr Doherty. “It is only possible to achieve this sort of success rate by carrying out a large number of cases.

“It is very important that anyone considering this surgery should ensure that their surgeon has carried out a large number of these operations and acquired the necessary skills.

“The development of this technique means a perfect result for patients is possible – they get rid of the cancer with out suffering long term consequences whilst spending only two days in hospital.

“We are very committed to nerve-sparing prostatectomy surgery at The Birmingham Prostate Clinic because we know it is extremely important to many of our patients.”