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.

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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.

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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

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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.