Prostate
Prostate problems are extremely common among men, especially as they age, and are often due to prostatic enlargement (or prostatic hyperplasia). In some cases, patients might need to seek treatment for prostatitis (an infection of the prostate). An enlarged prostate is often referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and may not require surgical intervention (such as a prostatectomy) to treat.
Retropubic /transvesical prostatectomy for BPH
In cases where benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is causing urinary tract problems, or where prostate cancer is present, Dr. Hayden may recommend either the partial (simple prostatectomy) or total (radical prostatectomy) - removal of the patient’s prostate gland. A retropubic or transvesical prostatectomy is done for BPH. These forms of open prostatectomy are distinguished by where Dr. Hayden makes a single incision in the prostate capsule in order to remove the affected area of the prostate: either in the patient’s pelvis (retropubic prostatectomy) or through the bladder wall (suprapubic or transvesical prostatectomy). If a patient requires a radical prostatectomy, Dr. Hayden will consult with each patient and discuss the different options available to them during the prostatectomy procedure, including a nerve sparing prostatectomy, which endeavours to leave behind the nerves required for penile erection after the prostate has been removed.
Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate for suspected prostate cancer
In cases of suspected prostate cancer - if the patient has been showing prostate cancer signs and symptoms, if the blood prostate specific antigen level is high or if there is a strong genetic predisposition towards it - then Dr. Hayden may order a transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy as an effective first stage of prostate cancer diagnosis. A transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy is a procedure where a special needle is inserted into the patient’s rectum through a guide attached to the ultrasound probe, in order to collect tissue samples for later investigation in the laboratory.