Robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP)

A robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is an operation, carried out via keyhole surgery, to remove the prostate gland. At Cromwell Hospital, our surgeons use the state-of-the-art da Vinci X Robot to perform this type of operation.  The benefits of robotic-assisted surgery can include faster recovery time, less urinary incontinence, less chance of scarring and tissue loss, and less blood loss.  

Who is suitable for a prostatectomy?

A radical prostatectomy is commonly used to treat patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. 

What does a prostatectomy involve?

Most patients will be placed under general anaesthetic for the operation, which usually takes between 2 and 3 hours. The surgeon will make a series of very small incisions and then use the da Vinci X Robot to carry out the procedure.  

What can you do to prepare for a prostatectomy?

A radical prostatectomy is a significant surgical intervention. Ahead of your operation, it helps if you optimize your fitness and body weight. This is called pre-conditioning.

You should exercise regularly for at least 30min up to 5 times per week (Department of health guidelines). Your exercise regime should ideally include a couple of muscle-building or higher-impact exercise sessions in addition to the usual cardiovascular exercise. This should be combined with a varied, mainly plant based and high protein diet. Aim for a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less. This reduces the chance of urine incontinence.

Our team will teach you pelvic floor exercises which you should start practicing before the operation. Physiotherapy of this type has been shown to reduce urine incontinence rates after the surgery by up to 20%. This will help you cope with the operation and build strength afterwards.  

What is the recovery period?

The length of time it takes you to recover from the operation depends on a range of factors, including your age and body weight. However, most patients only need to spend around one to two days in hospital. Our dedicated recovery team of specialist nurses and physiotherapists will work with you closely after your operation to make sure you recover as quickly as possible. Most patients will need to take some time off work to recover, but your consultant will talk you through your recovery plan ahead of your operation.  

Self-pay package

As well as working with all major insurance companies, we also welcome patients who wish to pay for themselves. We offer a range of self-pay package options, including:

  • Hospital Packages: these are flexible packages that group standard diagnostics and the procedure into one clear price. Consultant and anaesthetist fees are separate, and any other addition to your treatment is billed separately.
  • Fixed Price Packages: these are comprehensive, all-inclusive packages that group everything you may need for treatment into one clear price. All of our Fixed Price Packages include pre-admission tests, procedure, professional fees, post-op outpatient care and any other consultant-recommended services as part of your treatment.

Below is an outline of both our self-pay Hospital Package and our Fixed Price Package.

Below is an outline of our self-pay hospital package which includes tests, hospital stay and procedure. Please note: it does not include consultant fees, which may vary.

  • Hospital package from £14,500
  • Indicative consultant fees from £2,800
  • Indicative anaesthetist fees from £1,200

Inclusions

  • Standard pre-admission tests
  • Accommodation in a private en-suite room up to two nights (though longer stays are provided if required, at an increased package price)
  • All meals
  • Nursing
  • Ward medications and dressings
  • Theatre procedure and anaesthetics
  • Inpatient physiotherapy, pathology, occupational therapy, surgical stockings and crutches
  • Post-op and discharge medication

Exclusions

  • Consultant consultation fee
  • Consultant procedure fee
  • Anaesthetist fee
  • Non-standard diagnostic and histology tests
  • Any additional costs not specified in the package inclusions

Included in the package price:

  • Consultant’s surgeon and consultant anaesthetist professional fees.
  • Two follow-up consultations with consultant within post-op timeframe.
  • Pre-admission outpatient tests, which includes standard pathology and diagnostic tests (ECG & Chest X-ray), if required.
  • Recovery and accommodation which includes a stay in a private en-suite room.
  • Ward medications, dressings, and nursing consumables.
  • Theatre Procedure, including anaesthetic drugs and theatre consumables.
  • Standard post–op medication issued and used during the inpatient stay.
  • Inpatient physiotherapy, pathology, histology, and surgical stockings, if required.
  • Discharge medication pertaining to the condition being treated by this package.
  • All patient meals and non-alcoholic beverages (light meals for day cases).
  • Post-op X-rays and physiotherapy pertaining to the procedure within six weeks.
  • Return to theatres within 6 weeks of the procedure date due to complication.

Excluded from the package price:

  • Take out supplies.
  • Companion beds and catering for relatives / visitors.
  • Personal expenses – telephone calls, additional catering, ambulances, etc…

If additional night’s stay, diagnostics, or other services are requested from your consultant you will not be charged in addition for these as these are included within the fixed price package.

Consultants offering this package:

When enquiring about this package please quote M6192

Our consultants

See a list of all the consultants available at Cromwell Hospital.

Why choose Cromwell Hospital?

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Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone.