Dr. Ursiny, MD
Robotic Surgeon
Dr. Fredrick, MD
Robotic Surgeon
Dr. Calabrese, MD
Robotic Surgeon
The da Vinci® system is a robotic-assisted surgery system used to perform minimally invasive laparoscopic operations (also known as keyhole surgery) such as robotic prostate cancer surgery, or robotic prostatectomy. Instead of large incisions in the abdomen, small incisions of 5 to 12 mm are sufficient to insert a camera and the necessary instruments into the patient’s body. A term often given to this type of procedure is “robotic surgery”. The doctor performing surgery controls the
instrument arms from a console, allowing superior control, precision, and improved dexterity in difficult-to-reach areas of the body such as the pelvis.
Laparoscopic prostatectomy was first performed in the 1990s, and robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery in the early 2000s. Urologic surgeons were largely on the forefront of this technological advance. Since that time, significant advancement in prostate cancer care, surgical technique, optics, and equipment quality have optimized minimally invasive prostate cancer surgery.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery:
- Faster recovery
- Reduced blood loss
- Optics – 10x magnification, 3D vision
How is Robotic Radical Prostatectomy Performed?
During robotic radical prostatectomy:
- Anesthesia: You will be given general anesthesia to ensure you are unconscious and pain-free during the procedure.
- Incisions: 5-7 small incisions (8-12mm) are made in the abdomen to allow access for the surgical instruments and camera.
- Robotic System Setup: The surgeon sits at a console next to the patient and controls the surgical instruments attached to robotic arms. The surgical team assists in positioning the robotic arms and camera inside the body.
- Surgical Procedure: The surgeon controls the robotic arms to remove the prostate gland and surrounding tissue while viewing a high-definition, 3D image of the surgical site provided by the camera. The entire prostate is removed along with the seminal vesicles, and often several pelvic lymph nodes.
- Closure: Once the prostate is removed, the surgeon closes the incisions with sutures and surgical glue.
Highlights of Robotic Prostatectomy and Recovery
- Duration of surgery: on average ~ 3 hours
- General Anesthesia combined with local numbing
- 5-7 small incisions distributed across your abdomen
- Local anesthesia blocks to the incisions to minimize narcotic use
- Patients are usually walking the evening of surgery
- 1 night stay in the hospital, sometimes same-day surgery depending on patient factors
- Bladder catheter for ~6-7 days to allow for healing
- <50% of patients requiring narcotic pain medicine at home
- Typically patients take 2 weeks off of work
- 4-6 weeks of no heavy lifting/exertion (>15lbs of force)
- Walking, stairs, light activity all encouraged immediately after surgery
Where is Robotic Prostate Surgery Done?
All robotic surgeries are done at Northern Light Mercy Hospital which is a member hospital of the Dana Farber Cancer Care Collaborative.
