Social representations of radical prostatectomy from the perspective of men undergoing surgery

To understand the social representations of radical prostatectomy from the perspective of men undergoing surgery.

Qualitative, descriptive research, based on the theory of Social Representations. Sixty men diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing radical prostatectomy, who were assisted in a municipality in southern Minas Gerais, participated. Data collection took place between February and September 2022, through interviews and access to medical records. The characterization data were tabulated and presented in absolute and relative frequency and the qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse method.

Eleven Central Ideas were identified, associated with negative impacts on sexual and urinary functions and male identity; with neutrality, through satisfactory adaptation and positive perceptions: healing, relief and satisfaction; and with decision and confidence in the surgical procedure.

Social representations revealed a complexity of experiences related to satisfaction, adaptation and dissatisfaction with post-surgical results.