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The Robotics Difference

If your physician recommends the surgical excision of your tumor, it is possible that you may be offered the option of robotic surgery. This option is currently available for patients with prostate, bladder and kidney cancer.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute uses Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci® Surgical System. This combines superior 3D visualization along with greatly enhanced dexterity, precision and control in an intuitive, ergonomic interface with breakthrough surgical capabilities.

The da Vinci® Surgical System is the first operative surgical robotic system approved by the FDA. It has been approved for use in performing many surgical procedures, including general laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic (chest) surgery, laparoscopic radical prostatectomies, and thoracoscopically-assisted heart procedures.

According to Intuitive Surgical, the da Vinci® Surgical System is currently being used in major medical centers around the world, including the United States, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about the da Vinci® surgical system, you can visit their website at www.davincisurgery.com.

Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy FAQ

Q. How is robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy different from open radical prostatectomy?
A. In contrast to open radical prostatectomy, the robot assisted procedure does not require a midline abdominal incision. This procedure uses tiny entry sites (ports) most of which are no longer than 10 millimeters (less than inch). Then the robot is docked, allowing the surgeon to view a powerfully magnified image in real time video. The surgeons utilize advanced technology of the robot's Endowrist (flexible wrists that bend and twist like human wrists) to remove the cancerous prostate gland.

Q. Does Roswell Park Cancer Institute offer robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy?
A. Yes, Roswell Park Cancer Institute has an established robotic surgery service. The da Vinci® surgical system is being used by our surgeons since August, 2004. Roswell Park has already performed over 600 robotic-assisted surgeries. Roswell Park has performed more than 500 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies and over 100 robotic-assisted cystectomies (removal of the bladder).

Q. What are the benefits of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy?
A. Several advantages are seen after the procedure:

• Unparalleled surgical accuracy
• Easy manipulation of instruments in a narrow space (the human pelvis) allows the surgeon to perform a gentle operation
• Significantly less pain
• Minimal blood loss
• Less hospitalization
• Earlier Foley catheter removal
• Quicker recovery time

Q. How experienced is the team at Roswell Park Cancer Institute performing the robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure?
A. Roswell Park initiated its program in 2004. Our team has already performed over 600 robotic-assisted surgeries. The urologic oncology team at Roswell Park has performed more than 500 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies.

Q. Who constitutes the Roswell Park robotic urology team?
A. The team is comprised of five urologic oncology surgeons with robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery fellowship training. The nursing staff is made up of a team of dedicated minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic nurses.

Q. Which patient is an ideal candidate for robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure?
A. Any patient with the diagnosis of localized prostate cancer and good general health can be evaluated for the procedure. The ideal procedure is to complete our consultation form or schedule an appointment.

Q. What are the risks of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure?
A. Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy is a major cancer operation performed using full general anesthesia like any other major operation. The risks include infection, bleeding, injury to bowel, vessels, rectal injury, risk of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. The risks associated with any major operation like cardiac event, deep venous thrombosis, stroke, and death are a possibility.

Q. How long will my hospital stay take?
A. An average patient goes home the day after the operation, or can stay an extra day depending upon his recovery. All of our robotic prostatectomy patients have gone home the day after surgery.

Q. When does the Foley catheter come out?
A. We usually remove the catheter in seven to ten days, at the first postoperative clinic visit.

Learn more about Robotic Surgery.

Learn more about the da Vinci® surgical system.

The Robotics Difference

In contrast to open radical prostatectomy, the robotic-assisted procedure does not require a midline abdominal incision. This procedure uses tiny entry sites (ports) most of which are no longer than 10 millimeters (under 1/2 inch). Then the robot is docked, allowing the surgeon to view a powerfully magnified image in real time video [insert link to video]. The surgeons utilize advanced technology of the robot's EndoWrists (flexible wrists that bend and twist like human wrists) to remove the cancerous prostate gland.

The Roswell Difference

Roswell Park Cancer Institute has an established robotic surgery service. Our surgeons have used the da Vinci® surgical system since August 2004. Roswell Park has already performed more than 600 robotic-assisted surgeries including more than 500 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies and over 100 robotic-assisted cystectomies (removal of the bladder).

The robotics team is comprised of five urologic oncology surgeons with robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery fellowship training. The nursing staff is made up of a team of dedicated minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic nurses.

Robotics Offers More Benefits for Prostate Cancer Patients

Several advantages are seen after the procedure:

• Unparalleled surgical accuracy
• Easy manipulation of instruments in a narrow space (the human pelvis) allows the surgeon to perform a gentle operation
• Significantly less pain
• Minimal blood loss
• Less hospitalization
• Earlier Foley catheter removal
• Quicker recovery time

Unlike "open" prostatectomy, patients are usually able to go home the day after robotic-assisted prostatectomy. Patients generally experience less post-operative pain and discomfort and have a faster recovery. Many men are able to return to work as soon as two weeks after surgery. Any patient with the diagnosis of localized prostate cancer and good general health can be evaluated for the procedure. Schedule an appointment for an evaluation at Roswell Park.