Benjamin Netanyahu’s surgery: the challenges after prostate reduction

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was released this evening from Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital after an operation to remove the prostate that took place on Sunday. His doctors said that his condition is stable and he is recovering satisfactorily, but he still has a recovery period ahead of him. Prostate surgeries, and especially laser surgeries to reduce the prostate, are accompanied by significant challenges for patients, especially in the areas of pain and physiological recovery.

As I recall, Netanyahu underwent a “Holp” type operation to remove the core of the prostate on Sunday night, in an underground operating room in Hadassah. Surgery to remove the prostate gland, whether due to benign enlargement (BPH) or for other reasons, is a common medical procedure among the elderly. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and its main function is to produce a fluid that is part of the seminal fluid.

This fluid provides the sperm cells with nutrients and improves their mobility, thus contributing to fertility. In benign prostate enlargement surgeries such as the “Holp” that Netanyahu underwent, in which a camera and laser are inserted through the tip of the penis, only the core of the prostate is removed, but there are cases, such as in the treatment of prostate cancer, where the entire gland is removed.

After prostatectomy, there are various changes that affect the body. First, the surgery may lead to infertility, which is of course irrelevant to Netanyahu, since the gland responsible for producing the seminal fluid no longer exists. However, among the elderly, where fertility is not a high priority, it is usually a less significant loss.

Most patients experience a significant improvement in urinary function, including a stronger urine stream, a decrease in nocturnal frequency and relief from the feeling of incomplete emptying.

However, in the first days after surgery the most common complaint is pain. The pains are caused by damage to sensitive tissues, since the surgery involves cutting and removing tissues from the prostate, which causes local irritation and sometimes mild inflammation.

Possible damage to the nerves surrounding the prostate can lead to sharp pains or a feeling of pressure in the pelvis. In addition, the use of a urinary catheter, which is necessary in many cases after surgery, may cause discomfort and even pain.

During recovery, the body goes through various physiological processes that affect the experience of pain. Local inflammation is the body’s natural response to recovery, but it may cause pain. Damaged tissues go through a process of healing and scarring, which leads to a feeling of stretching or tenderness in the area. Even nerve cells that have undergone renewed stimulation sometimes cause a feeling of pain or discomfort, especially in the first hours after surgery.

Besides pain, there are other side effects that may appear after laser prostate surgery. Difficulties urinating are a common phenomenon and cause a burning sensation that results from irritation in the urethral tube. Sometimes urine leakage occurs due to temporary weakness of the sphincter or structural changes in the area. The use of a catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infections, so hygiene and medical follow-up must be observed.

To deal with the pain and difficulties, the doctors recommend painkillers, drinking a lot to maintain hydration and prevent infections, and regular medical follow-up. A correct therapeutic approach and close follow-up can help patients go through the recovery period well and reach a full recovery.

The rehabilitation process includes drinking plenty of water to prevent infections and improve urine flow, avoiding heavy physical exertion or lifting weights for four to six weeks, taking medications as needed to prevent pain or infections. The medical follow-up is carried out within a few weeks after the operation to evaluate its results. Side effects such as continued pain, burning in the urine or light bleeding are expected to pass within a few weeks.