Q: My 75 years old father is having a prostate problem. The size of the prostate was around 160 gm four years back and was advised to undergo surgery. Then the prostate was removed through laparoscopic method. After the surgery his urine became very smelly so he has been taking an antibiotic for the last two years. Recently he got blood in his urine and was again diagnosed with an enlarged prostate of size 150 gm. He has been advised surgery again. Is open surgery safe for him? If yes, what will be the recovery time? Is it possible to remove the prostrate fully through laparoscopic method?

A:Laparoscopic method is not a common method we follow for removing prostate unless we are doing a radical prostatectomy for cancer prostate. In that case there is little chance of prostate again growing to 150 grams. Probably, initial procedure was endoscopic. The best course for you would be to follow what your urologists says. If you are not convinced with explanation, may be you could seek second opinion. Technique does not matter as much as the surgeon who performs it. I wonder you gain any thing by getting open surgery done. He will also need to be investigated for the cause of his bleeding in urine.