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Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer

This groundbreaking alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy enables our surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision. Highly skilled robotic surgeons are specially trained on the da Vinci robotic surgical system and have performed robotic-assisted prostatectomies since 2005.

The da Vinci Surgical System utilizes robotic instruments introduced via tiny incisions or laparoscopic ports. These surgical instruments are directly controlled by the surgeon and offer more precise movements with more control and range of motion than standard instruments. Additionally, the specialized telescope of the robot allows the surgeon to see the operative field magnified 12 times and in three dimensions, as opposed to the two-dimensional view that standard laparoscopy offers. Combined, these provide greater visual detail than ever before.

Robotic Prostatectomy

Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is a minimally invasive operation to completely remove the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. The procedure is performed laparoscopically using the da Vinci Surgical System, which provides the surgeon with better vision and more dexterous “hands,” through the use of advanced optics and computer and robotic technology. Patients who have robotic surgery typically recover more quickly, often have less post-operative pain, and experience fewer complications compared to more traditional open surgery.

The procedure starts with your surgeon making 6 small incisions, each less than an inch wide, in your abdomen. To remove the prostate and sometimes surrounding lymph nodes, your surgeon moves two of the robotic arms while a third arm keeps other structures out of the way. Very small movements of the surgeon's fingers control tiny instruments for precise movements. The robotic camera, which provides 12-times magnification and 3-D vision, allows your surgeon to better identify tissues around the prostate. This aids in preservation of the nerves controlling erections and the sphincter muscles that help maintain urinary control. The prostate is then removed through an incision near the navel.