Health Dictionary
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Radical perineal prostatectomy
Introduction
Template:Search infobox Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D.
Overview
Radical perineal prostatectomy is a surgical procedure wherein the prostate gland is removed through an incision in the area between the anus and the scrotum (perineum). It is typically performed to remove early prostate cancer. Radical perineal prostatectomy is less commonly used than another surgery, radical retropubic prostatectomy, primarily because lymph nodes cannot be sampled through the same incision in the perineal approach. When the cancer is small and confined to the prostate, radical perineal prostatectomy achieves the same rate of cure as the retropubic approach but less blood is lost and recovery is faster. One downside to the perineal approach is an increased risk of fecal incontinence.