Suprapubic Prostatectomy is a medical procedure used to treat an enlarged prostate. The word "suprapubic" is spelled as ˌsuː.prəˈpju.bɪk, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "s" in "supra" is pronounced as a "s" sound, while the "u" in "pubic" is pronounced as a "yu" sound. The term "prostatectomy" is spelled as prɒsˈtei.tɪktə.mi, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "c" in "prostate" is pronounced as an "s" sound, while the "t" in "ectomy" is pronounced as a "t" sound.
Suprapubic prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of all or a portion of the prostate gland through a surgical incision made in the lower abdomen, just above the pubic bone. The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ found only in males, located below the bladder and surrounding the urethra. It is responsible for producing some of the fluid in semen.
During a suprapubic prostatectomy, the surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen, exposing the bladder and prostate gland. The prostate gland is carefully dissected and removed using specialized surgical instruments. This procedure is often performed when the prostate gland is enlarged, causing symptoms such as difficulty urinating, frequent urination, or urinary retention. It may also be done to treat prostate cancer or to address complications from other conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Suprapubic prostatectomy is considered a more invasive alternative to minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or laser prostatectomy. It is typically performed under general anesthesia and requires a hospital stay of a few days for monitoring and recovery. Like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with suprapubic prostatectomy, including bleeding, infection, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and injury to surrounding structures such as the bladder or urethra. Each case is unique, and the decision to proceed with suprapubic prostatectomy is made on an individual basis by the patient and their healthcare team.
The word "suprapubic prostatectomy" can be broken down into its component parts:
- "Supra-" is a prefix derived from Latin meaning "above" or "beyond".
- "Pubic" is an adjective derived from Latin "pubes", meaning "pubic hair" or "pubic region".
- "Prostatectomy" is a noun derived from Greek "prostates" (meaning "prostate") and "ektome" (meaning "excision" or "removal").
Therefore, "suprapubic prostatectomy" describes a surgical procedure involving the removal of the prostate gland through an incision made above or beyond the pubic region.