Why robotic prostatectomy

For most of the surgery, the surgeon is seated at a computer console and manipulates tiny wristed instruments that offer a range of motion far greater than the human wrist. Compared with traditional open surgery, patients who undergo robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy experience:.

Faster recovery times although catheter needs to remain in bladder for same amount of time after robotic or open procedure. The potential risks of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy include the following:. The rates of major side effects from robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy are about the same as open surgical approaches. Comparison of outcomes between pure laparoscopic vs robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a study of comparative effectiveness based upon validated quality of life outcomes.

Br J Urol Int , Return of sexual function following nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy is more challenging to define and assess as results depend on multiple factors including patient age, preoperative sexual function, percent of nerves spared during surgery, recovery time after surgery and presence of pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, smoking and high cholesterol.

Viagra, Cialis, Levitra at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Comparison of outcomes between purle laparoscopic vs robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a study of comparative effectiveness based upon validated quality of life outcomes.

As with any major surgery, complications, although rare, may occur with robotic prostatectomy. Potential risks and complications with this operation include, but are not limited to, the following:.

After a period of recovery in the Recovery Room, you will be transported to your hospital room once you are aware and your vital signs are stable. The primary advantages of robotic prostatectomy are a result of the high tech equipment used to accomplish this surgery. Ranked as the 32 urology program in the nation by U. Our Surgeons. The camera allows your surgeon to see the inside of the body in detail, while the tiny instruments are able to bend and rotate much more than the human hand, allowing for complete accuracy.

During the procedure, the prostate gland, the small organ that is wrapped around the urethra, is removed. In some cases, structures close to the prostate gland, such as the seminal vesicles and the vas deferens, may also need to be removed to ensure that the cancer is completely removed.

Dr Moolman removes the seminal vesicles with the prostate in all cases to ensure better cure results. If the cancer has spread outside the prostate on the MRI scan, then he will perform a wider resection margin to ensure no cancer is left behind and to improve cure results.

If you are a good candidate, a bilateral nerve sparing prostatectomy will be performed to ensure return of your sexual function after the surgery. During the procedure, your surgeon will make tiny incisions in the abdomen. With the use of a surgical system, the prostate is removed through one of these small cuts.

A catheter is inserted into the urethra to help drain urine while your body heals. Dr Moolman only leaves the catheter in place for five days after the surgery. Because robotic prostatectomy is less invasive than traditional open surgery, there are a number of benefits to having this kind of procedure.

There is generally less pain and a faster recovery period. Patients are encouraged to walk around from day one, and in most cases are ready to go back to work within days after surgery. There is also less risk of infection, and less scarring.

Blood loss is minimal and blood transfusions are highly unlikely. Robotic prostatectomy is the international gold standard treatment for intermediate and high risk prostate cancer.

You might have an operation to remove the prostate or to help to relieve the symptoms of prostate cancer. Before your operation, you have tests to check your fitness and you meet members of your treatment team.

Your treatment depends on a number of factors including how big the cancer is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body and how well you are. Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland, which is a walnut sized gland at the base of the bladder in men. About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Questions about cancer? Call freephone 9 to 5 Monday to Friday or email us.

Skip to main content. Home About cancer Prostate cancer Treatment for prostate cancer Surgery for prostate cancer Robotic surgery to remove your prostate gland. The patient unit You lie on the operating table and the patient unit is beside you. The control unit The control unit is where the surgeon sits.