RSS feedNerve-sparing prostatectomy
We are highly experienced in the nerve-sparing prostatectomy – a complex technique designed to safely treat cancer while preserving important surrounding nerves.
A traditional radical prostatectomy involves using wide margins around the prostate, causing irreversible damage to the surrounding nerves.
Adjacent to the prostate are the nerves which supply blood to the penis and the traditional radical prostatectomy resulted in impotency.
In recent years, more experienced surgeons started using nerve-sparing techniques, safely removing the prostate but preserving surrounding nerves.
Mr Alan Doherty, consultant urologist at Harley Street Urology, has undertaken more than 1,750 prostatectomies, one of the largest caseloads in the UK.
Four hundred of these procedures have been undertaken as nerve-sparing procedures and outcomes for patients have been audited and analysed: the full set of nerve-sparing prostatectomy results is now available to view online.
“Before surgery, the focus for the majority of men is upon the treatment of cancer, rather than potential side-effects of surgery. However we must recognise how important it is to ensure nerve damage is limited as much as possible and we have the technical capacity to safely achieve this.”
Alan Doherty, Consultant Urologist,
Harley Street Urology
We offer a procedure known as intrafascial nerve-sparing surgery, which is an established and effective technique.
Nerve-sparing prostatectomy is only possible when the cancer is confined within the prostate. It is becoming increasingly common because prostate cancer is being identified earlier in many patients.
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 committed to publishing his results and measuring outcomes for patients, including erectile function.
Mr Doherty has established an index of patients with full erectile function before surgery, to measure and analyse the effects of surgery upon erectile function and recovery after surgery.
Related links
▸ Our nerve-sparing prostatectomy results
▸ Read David Lehane's prostate cancer testimonial of his nerve-sparing prostatectomy treatment
Harley Street Urology news
▸ New technique enables patients to leave hospital without a catheter
▸ Harley Street Urology joins major study of nerve-sparing prostate surgery
▸ Our nerve-sparing prostatectomy results: we have recently published the results of our nerve-sparing prostatectomy surgery for prostate cancer.