Prostatectomies today are frequently performed with assistance from a robotic system. This can result in a smaller incision and more precise maneuvering around delicate nerves.
Who is this treatment best for?
Men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer that is contained within the prostate.
What to Expect
During robotic-assisted prostatectomy, a urologist removes the prostate and, in some cases, some of the tissue around it. An anesthesiologist will provide general anesthesia. In this procedure, the urologist performs laparoscopic surgery but with a robot guiding the hand movements to precisely remove tissue. The procedure allows for smaller, less invasive incisions. A common system used by urologists is the da Vinci System.
Who orders or performs the treatment?
What are common side effects?
Because this procedure supports precise tissue removal, the impact of surgery may be lower than with other forms of prostatectomy. However, side effects are similar to traditional prostatectomy. Up to 90% may experience erectile dysfunction, though about half who experience this will recover their ability to have an erection within a year. Thirty percent of men also experience urinary incontinence or other urinary troubles because the urethra must be cut and reconnected to remove the prostate. These conditions also improve within a year in most cases, but some men require additional surgery to correct them.