Like all surgery involving anesthesia, radical prostatectomy carries the risk of death, but this is extremely rare. In one hospital’s study of 1,000 patients, there were two deaths—one man died three weeks after surgery, from a blood clot in his lung (for important tips on how to recognize symptoms of this, see below). The other man had a heart attack before surgery, as the anesthesia was beginning.

The most common complication during surgery is excess bleeding, usually a result of a blood vessel being injured during the operation. That’s why it is absolutely critical that your surgeon has mastered the techniques for ensuring a “bloodless field” (see “An Anatomical Approach to Surgery,” and “Are You in Good Hands? What to Look for in a Surgeon,” in this chapter).

Less common complications include injuring the rectum or ureters; such injuries can be repaired during surgery, and extra surgical precautions can be taken to avoid permanent damage.

Other complications include blood clots and bladder neck contracture.

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