Robotic-Assisted Prostatectomy
A New Innovation in Prostate Cancer Treatment
Each year, there are more than 180,000 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States. For many patients, removal of the prostate by surgery is often a recommended treatment option. Removal of the prostate by traditional surgery is known as a radical prostatectomy. Unfortunately, for many men a radical prostatectomy often results in a long recovery period and prolonged incontinence issues.
A minimally invasive technique for prostate cancer removal
Fortunately, a new robotically assisted procedure is helping to change this. Instead of a radical prostatectomy, surgeons are removing diseased prostates with a new minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure utilizing the da Vinci™ Surgical Robot. The new procedure, called a robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, is helping surgeons to perform a more precise operation and allowing patients to enjoy a faster and less painful recovery.
Unlike a traditional radical prostatectomy, which uses one large incision to remove the prostate, the minimally invasive robotic technique is performed using several smaller openings made in the lower abdomen. The openings (or ports as doctors call them) are only between 5 and 10mm in diameter but allow the placement of a miniature camera and laparoscopic instruments inside the body to carry out the surgery. The surgeon controls the instruments remotely using robotic controls, and uses a high-resolution video monitor to view the procedure. The da Vinci system gives the surgeon pinpoint control of three robotic arms and offers amazing dexterity to perform the delicate operation. Every surgical maneuver is performed with direct input from the surgeon.
Technology that offers greater control and precision
The sophisticated technology of the da Vinci system offers the surgeon a number of key advantages. The video camera provides a highly magnified, close-up view of the prostate, lymph nodes and other adjacent tissues in the body. This allows the surgery to be much more precise. The magnified view also helps the surgeon avoid any possible damage to surrounding nerves and other structures around the prostate. When the surgeon sutures the urethra and bladder together again after the prostate is removed, he can see with much greater clarity, allowing the suture line to be much more precise.
Most importantly, Reliant Medical Group patients truly benefit from having their prostate removed using this minimally invasive technique. Key benefits include a shorter hospital stay, less pain, and reduced chance of scarring and incontinence issues. Since the surgery is so precise, patients do not need to have a catheter inside their bladder as long while they recover. In traditional prostate surgery, the catheter is left in for 2-4 weeks. After a laparoscopic prostatectomy, most patients only need a catheter for about one week. Additionally, there is much less chance of leakage from the bladder after surgery due to the more precise suturing. In fact, most patients operated on using the da Vinci system have experienced no bladder leakage problems at all. They also have a much quicker return to full control of their bladder after surgery. The reduced recovery time has allowed many patients to enjoy favorite activities such as playing golf just weeks after being operated on.
Available Now to Reliant Medical Group Patients
Dr. Simon McRae , a urologist at Reliant Medical Group who has performed prostate surgery using the da Vinci system says, "It’s very gratifying to offer patients a new surgical technology that promotes not only an excellent outcome but an enhanced recovery and quality of life after surgery as well. We’re proud to be able to offer our patients the advantages of a laparoscopic prostatectomy.”