Although the da Vinci was originally developed for cardiac surgeries, applications for urologic surgical cases were quickly identified, and now the radical prostatectomy is one of the most common procedures performed with robotics.
Robotic Benefits for Prostatectomy
During a robotic prostatectomy, surgeons are able to view the surgery in 10-times-magnification, three-dimensional, high definition color and at angles better than ever before because of the optimal camera placement that the da Vinci allows within the body. Since the prostate gland is located in such a delicate position in the body, this visual optimization is of great benefit to the surgeon, allowing for a more precise surgery and a greater chance of preserving continence and erectile function and decreasing blood loss during surgery.
Robotic instruments articulate like the human wrist, as opposed to conventional laparoscopy where the instruments have limited range of motion. This dexterity and the wrist action capability allow a surgeon to get around corners and to work in tight spaces to precisely mimic the surgeon’s movement allowing for a very good cancer excision procedure with quick recovery times.
Additional Robotic Prostate Procedures
For certain patients, the da Vinci is also being used at Northeast Georgia Medical Center for lymph node dissections to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the area of the prostate.
Like all new technology, robotic surgery is not appropriate for all patients.
For more information about urologic surgery applications for the da Vinci Surgical System, call the Cancer Center at NGMC at 770-219-8800.
Surgeons performing robotic prostate surgery at Northeast Georgia Medical Center:
Ronald Brock, MD
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urology
Thomas Fassuliotis, MD
Gainesville Urology
Ryan Fogg, MD
Gainesville Urology
Jay Hortenstine, MD
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urology
Kapil Pareek, MD
Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Urology
Brent Sharpe, MD
Northeast Georgia Urological Associates
David Woo, MD
Gainesville Urology
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