da Vinci Surgery
 

Urologic Surgery

When medication and other non-surgical treatments are unavailable or cannot relieve symptoms, surgery is the recommended treatment for many conditions that affect the male reproductive organs and urinary tract organs. These conditions include, among other things, prostate cancer, ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, bladder and kidney cancer and vesicoureteral reflux.

Fortunately, less invasive surgical options are available to many people facing urologic surgery. The most common is laparoscopy, which uses small incisions. Laparoscopy can be very effective for many routine procedures, but due to the surgical instruments involved, it is typically not used for more complex urologic surgeries.

da Vinci® Surgery

The da Vinci® Surgical System is being used by many surgeons worldwide for prostatectomy and other urologic procedures. It is a minimally invasive approach, using the latest in surgical and robotics technologies and is ideal for both complex and delicate urologic surgeries. This includes prostatectomy, where the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function.

da Vinci Surgery offers patients facing urologic surgery many potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including:

  • Significantly less pain1
  • Less blood loss1,1,2,3
  • Fewer complications1,1,4
  • Shorter hospital stay2,3
  • Faster return to normal daily activities5

 

Learn More

To learn more about minimally invasive options for urologic surgery click here. To find a da Vinci urologic surgeon, use our surgeon locator.

This procedure is performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, a state-of-the-art surgical platform. By overcoming the limits of both traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed since surgery is specific to each patient, condition and procedure. It is important to talk to your doctor about all treatment options, including the risks and benefits. This information can help you make the best decision for your situation.

  1. Nix J, Smith A, Kurpad R, Nielsen ME, Wallen EM, Pruthi RS. Prospective randomized controlled trial of robotic versus open radical cystectomy for bladder cancer: perioperative and pathologic results. Eur Urol(2009), doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.10.024.
  2. Rocco, B., et al., Robotic vs open prostatectomy in a laparoscopically naive centre: A matched-pair analysis. BJU International, 2009. 104(7): p. 991-995.
  3. Benway BM, et al. Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy Versus Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Tumors: a Multi-Institutional Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes. J Urology (2009) 182:866-873–143
  4. Carlsson S, Nilsson A, et al. Surgery-related complications in 1253 robot-assisted and 485 open retropubic radical prostatectomies at the Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. Urology, 2010;75(5):1092-1097.
  5. Hohwu L, Akre O, Pedersen KV, Jonsson M, Nielsen CV, Gustafsson O. Open retropubic prostatectomy versus robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: A comparison of length of sick leave. Scand J Urol and Nephrol. Apr 7 2009:1-6.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctors about da Vinci Surgery, are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved.

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