Patient preparation directions for your low dose rate brachytherapy need to be followed or it is possible that your implant procedure may have to be cancelled.

Diet:

Maintain a normal healthy diet and lifestyle up to the procedure. 24 hours prior to the procedure, commence on a clear liquid diet and eat nothing solid for this 24 hour period. This is extremely important. Do not have anything to eat or drink from 12 midnight prior to the procedure.

Enema:

You need to go to your local pharmacy or chemist and buy 2 Microlax enemas, which can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Follow the instructions on the packet and administer one of these after 8pm on the night before the procedure and the other at 5am on the morning of the procedure. They usually work within 30 minutes.

Medications:

Many medications can thin the blood and cause excessive bleeding during surgical procedures. It is very important that you cease any blood thinning medications 7-10 days prior to the procedure. Common medications that thin the blood are Aspirin, Warfarin, Plavix (Clopidogrel) and anti-inflammatory pain medications.

For a complete list of medications that may thin the blood or interfere with a surgical procedure, please refer to our information on surgery preparation and medications. Do not stop any of these medications without discussion with Dr Swindle as he will advise you of the exact timing to cease any medication.

Please ensure Dr Swindle is aware of all drugs, pills and medications that you take, whether on prescription or not, even if they are not on the list of medications to avoid.

Admission to hospital:

It is recommended you bring loose-fitting and comfortable clothing such as pyjamas for after surgery. If you wear contact lenses, glasses or dentures, bring a case so these can be stored during surgery. You will be given a surgical gown to wear and anti-thrombus compression stockings will be fitted after you have showered. Though these can come off to shower during your hospital stay, they must remain on at other times to reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the legs. The stockings are removed when you are ready to be discharged from hospital.

Generally unless there are significant problems, you will see the anaesthetist on the morning of surgery. Once you are due to go to theatre, the nurses will complete a checklist and escort you to the theatre. You will enter the theatre anaesthetic room where you will be once again check-listed by the theatre staff and anaesthetist.

A drip will be placed in your arm to allow intravenous access during the operation. Usually patients undergo a general anaesthetic for low dose rate brachytherapy as it is imperative that patients lie very still during the procedure. This is usually not possible during a spinal anaesthetic.

Pre-operative Preparation:

You will see Dr Swindle the week or so prior to the operation to ensure that all necessary investigations are up to date and have taken place and that all important pre operative consultations have occurred. The following things will be double checked: blood and urine test results (FBE, ELFT’S, MSU), x-ray results (CXR, CT scan and possibly bone scan and MRI of the prostate), flexible cystoscopy results and urine flow rate results.