Robotic Prostatectomy
This year in the United States, almost 180,000 men will be told that they have prostate cancer. After a diagnosis of prostate cancer, a man and his family face several choices regarding treatment. Decisions involve many factors, personal as well as medical. Before making these decisions, it is very important to learn about all the options available. With this knowledge, a newly diagnosed prostate cancer patient can participate more confidently with his doctor in planning his individual treatment.
Facing any kind of urologic surgery creates a great deal of anxiety for most men. Among your concerns is: “Will my body function normally following surgery?” Traditional open urologic surgery – in which large incisions are made to access the pelvic organs – has been the standard approach when surgery is warranted. Yet common drawbacks of this procedure include significant post-surgical pain, a lengthy recovery and an unpredictable, potentially long-term impact on continence and sexual function.
da Vinci Surgery, a minimally invasive approach that utilizes the latest in surgical and robotics technologies, is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. This includes prostatectomy, in which the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.
Robotic Surgery Benefits
- Significantly less pain
- Less blood loss
- Fewer complications
- Less scarring
- A shorter hospital stay
- A faster return to normal daily activities
da Vinci Surgical System
The da Vinci Surgical System is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology. The system allows your surgeon’s hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables him to perform precise surgery in complex procedures through small surgical incisions.
The da Vinci System enhances surgical capabilities by enabling the performance of complex surgeries through tiny surgical openings. The System cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own. The da Vinci® System requires that every surgical mauveuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon.
The da Vinci Surgical System has been successfully used in thousands of prostate cancer procedures world-wide.
Resources
Borin JF, Skarecky DW, Narula N, Ahlering TE. Impact of urethral stump length on continence and positive surgical margins in robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. 1: Urology. 2007 Jul;70(1):173-7. Abstract.
Badani KK, Kaul S, Menon M. Evolution of robotic radical prostatectomy: assessment after 2766 procedures. Cancer. 2007 Sep 24;110(9):1951-1958. Abstract.
Boris RS, Kaul SA, Sarle RC, Stricker HJ. Radical prostatectomy: a single surgeon comparison of retropubic, perineal, and robotic approaches. Can J Urol. 2007 Jun;14(3):3566-70. Abstract.
Shah KS, Thaly RK, Patel VR. Peri-operative Outcomes of Robotic Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: A Single Surgeon Experience. AUA 2007. Abstract.
Patel AS, Shah KK, Thaly RK, Patel VR. Operative Complications of Robotic assisted Radical Prostatectomy: The Learning curve and Beyond- A single surgeon series. AUA 2007. Abstract.
Patel VR, Thaly R, Shah K. Robotic radical prostatectomy: outcomes of 500 cases. BJU Int. 2007 May;99(5):1109-12. Abstract.
Haliloglu A, Baltaci S, Yaman O. Penile length changes in men treated with androgen suppression plus radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer. Findings support observations of decreased penile length after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy plus external beam radiation therapy for local or locally advanced prostate cancer. J Urol 2007 Jan;177(1):128-30. Abstract.
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.