ROBOTIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

If you and your surgeon decide on surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive surgical procedure called robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate to treat prostate cancer.

The DaVinci robot is a state-of-the-art surgical system that utilizes fine instrumentation guided by a trained urological surgeon who uses the equipment to surgically remove your prostate gland through several small incisions.

For most patients, potential advantages with robot prostatectomy over open radical prostatectomy include:

Decreased blood loss and decreased likelihood of blood transfusion
Improved visualization of the anatomy due to 3-D vision, increased magnification
Small incisions less than 1cm.
Precise, fine surgical maneuvers guided by the surgeon
Less pain after surgery, decreasing the need for pain medications
Faster recovery. Most patients are well enough to leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery and resume routine activities 1–2 weeks after surgery.
Overall fewer postoperative complications

Open prostatectomy allows your surgeon to directly view and access the surgical area. Your surgeon will make an incision running from your belly button to your pubic bone for a radical prostatectomy. An open prostatectomy generally involves a longer recovery and more pain than minimally invasive prostatectomy. This is because it causes more trauma to tissues. Open prostatectomy requires a larger incision and more cutting and displacement of muscle and other tissues than minimally invasive prostatectomy. An open prostatectomy may be a safer or more effective method for certain patients. In addition, your surgeon may decide after beginning a minimally invasive prostatectomy that you require an open prostatectomy to safely and most effectively complete your surgery.