The tubes left in place after prostate cancer surgery include a catheter, which is disposed from the penis to drain urine from the bladder, and a drainage tube, which is placed from the abdomen to drain tissue fluid from the surgical area. Patients can be discharged with the tube after 3-5 days of activity after radical surgery. Understanding the precautions of post-operative home care can better relieve the tension and help the body recover faster.
I. Routine care
Before the wound is completely healed, you can rub your body, but avoid taking a tub bath or steam bath.
You can walk and climb stairs several times a day.
Avoid high-intensity exercise for 4 weeks after surgery, and slowly increase the amount of activity.
Avoid lifting heavy objects for 3 weeks after surgery.
The urine may be pink or briefly flesh-washing and tends to become clearer gradually.
Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day while the catheter is in place, which can be reduced to 6-8 glasses of water after the catheter is removed.
For one week after surgery, eat little and often to avoid overeating leading to abdominal distension.
Avoid fine activities such as driving while taking painkillers after surgery.
Have antibiotics, painkillers and laxative medications at home.
Avoid constipation by avoiding stool straining and eating fruits and coarse fibers.
Avoid sexual intercourse for 6 weeks after surgery.
Avoid cycling for 8 weeks after surgery.
II. Precautions
1.Bleeding
Performance: Hematuria or bloody discharge around the catheter may occur during activity, abdominal straining to relieve stool or coughing.
Countermeasure: No need to be nervous about small amount of bleeding in urine. First, you need to confirm the cause of hematuria – excessive activity, oral aspirin-like drugs, constipation, etc. Try to avoid the trigger of hematuria. Also drink plenty of water to avoid the bleeding forming clots to block the urinary catheter. Hematuria after one week after surgery can often heal on its own.
2.Urinary leakage around the catheter
Performance: Leakage of urine around the catheter is found when walking around.
Countermeasure: The part of the catheter inside the bladder has an air bag, and the position of the air bag will change when you move around, but urine may leak out from around the catheter when the air bag leaves the bladder neck. There is no need to be nervous, and the situation will gradually ease after adjusting the position.
3.Bladder spasm
Presentation: Sudden, strong sensation of bladder fullness and urination, tightness in the lower abdomen and possible leakage around the catheter.
Countermeasure: The catheter as a foreign body can irritate the bladder and cause spasms, similar to those of a fish spike in the throat. If the spasms are severe and cause discomfort, you can get a doctor to prescribe medication.
4.Urinary tract infection
Performance: Fever, pain in the incision or testicles, cloudy urine and increased discharge from the urethra.
Countermeasures: preventive oral anti-inflammatory drugs are often needed after discharge from the hospital. If the body temperature exceeds 38 degrees, timely consultation is needed to investigate the cause of fever and then prescribe the right medicine.
5.Lower limb thrombosis
Performance: Swelling of the lower limbs, increased skin temperature and pain.
Countermeasure: Lower limb thrombosis may occur one month after surgery, although the chance is about 2%, but it is extremely harmful. It is necessary to wear elastic stockings and be active after surgery, and take oral anticoagulant drugs if necessary. Seek medical treatment as soon as symptoms appear.