When medication and other non-surgical treatments are either unavailable or cannot relieve symptoms, surgery is the accepted treatment for a broad range of conditions that affect the male reproductive organs and the organs of the urinary tract. These conditions include, but are not limited to prostate cancer and bladder and kidney disease.
Facing any kind of urologic surgery creates anxiety for most men. Among the concerns are: "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 blood loss that often requires transfusion, significant post-surgical pain, a lengthy recovery and an unpredictable, potentially long-term impact on continence and sexual function.
Fortunately, less invasive surgical options are available to many patients facing urologic surgery. The most common of these is laparoscopy, which uses small incisions. While laparoscopy can be very effective for many routine procedures, limitations of this technology prevent its use for more complex urologic surgeries.
The minimally invasive approach, utilizing the latest in surgical and robotics technologies, is ideal for delicate surgery. Procedures such as prostatectomy and other urologic procedures, including pyeloplasty, ureteral obstruction repair, kidney tumor removal and partial nephrectomy are examples that can be performed with a robotic surgical system.
In the instance of prostatectomy, the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function. Patients who qualify for the use of a robotic surgical system allow the surgeons to have a better tool to spare surrounding nerves, which may enhance the recovery experience and clinical outcomes.
Additionally, with robotic surgery patients needing prostatectomy or other urologic surgery not only recover faster, they lose less blood than in traditional surgery, minimizing the need for transfusions. While clinical studies support the effectiveness of robotic surgical systems when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with a robotic surgical system may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.
For more information about robotic surgery at PMC or for referral to one of our surgeons who performs surgeries using robotic surgical systems, call 1.888.742.7496.