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Results with traditional open radical retropubic prostatectomy have steadily improved over
time. At Boston Medical Center, we have completed well over 1000 open prostatectomies through
a mini-laparotomy incision, extending from the pubic bone upwards about half-way to the
belly-button. Cancer control rates, and recovery of potency and continence are excellent in
most patients.
Our early experience with robotic prostatectomy suggests that these outcomes are at least
equaled with robotic surgery, with less postoperative pain, reduced blood loss, and a more
rapid recovery for the patient. After robotic prostatectomy, patients are often walking
and eating on the evening of the day of surgery, and are routinely discharged the next
morning, after breakfast. The urinary catheter is removed after 7-10 days, and many patients
return to work shortly thereafter.
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