Prostate Surgery

Robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgical procedure that removes the cancerous prostate gland and related structures.

The da Vinci® Robotic Prostatectomy provides your urologist with a minimally invasive alternative to the traditional open surgical radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The robotic system puts the surgeon's hands at the controls of a state-of-the-art surgical platform and enables the surgeon to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures with incredible precision through very small incisions.

A robotic prostatectomy is performed through small laparoscopic ports. The standard alternative open approach for radical prostatectomy involves a surgical incision from just below the umbilicus (the belly-button) to the pubic bone.

With laparoscopy, four separate small incisions are made in the lower abdomen and laparoscopic ports or trocars are introduced into the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to allow a working space for the surgeon. The port site at the umbilicus is for the camera. Two surgeons work together - a console surgeon and a table side surgeon.

The console surgeon manipulates separate mechanical arms inserted through the laparoscopic ports and also has control of camera movement. The table side surgeon helps provide exposure of the operative field and introduces and retrieves suture material and surgical clips.

The operation takes three to four hours from start to finish.

Potential benefits of this procedure include less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, less scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal daily activities. The clinical outcomes are equivalent, or possibly superior, to the open surgical method, including the nerve-sparing procedure to preserve potency and sexual function. This procedure is considered safe and effective but, just like any other surgical procedure, it may not be appropriate for every individual and these benefits cannot be guaranteed.

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