The da Vinci® robot is a sophisticated surgery platform designed to expand the surgeon's capabilities. The system cannot be programmed, nor can it make decisions on its own. Every surgical maneuver requires direct input from the surgeon -- which is why the experience of your surgeon matters.
With the state-of-the-art da Vinci® Surgical System, the surgeon uses a 3D computer vision system to manipulate robotic arms. The robotic arms can rotate a full 360 degrees, which allows the surgeon greater precision and flexibility.
These robotic arms hold special surgical instruments that are inserted into the abdomen through tiny incisions. A laparoscope - a long, thin, lighted telescope - is inserted through one incision and connected to the computer monitor that provides a magnified, high-resolution, 3D image of the body. This view helps the surgeon more easily find and preserve the delicate nerves and muscles that surround the prostate.
Robotic Prostatectomy -- How it Works
Shortly before the operation, anesthesia is administered and the patient goes to sleep for the duration of the operation,
First, the patient's abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas, creating an operating space for the surgeon. Unlike traditional open surgery that requires a long incision across the abdomen, six small incisions (1/4 to 1/2 inch in length) are made in the patient's abdomen and ports are inserted to keep the incisions open. Through the incisions, miniaturized instruments and a high-definition 3D camera are inserted.
Seated at the da Vinci console, your surgeon views a magnified, high-resolution, 3D image of the surgical site.
During the procedure, the surgeon uses the da Vinci system's laparoscopic surgical instruments and video camera to direct the dissection of the prostate gland and adjacent tissue. The prostate, nearby lymph nodes, seminal vesicles and adjacent tissue are removed through the small incisions. In appropriate candidates, the surgeon will use the Veil of Aphrodite nerve-sparing approach to preserve the nerves attached to the prostate gland.
Finally, the surgeon will insert either a penile catheter or a Suprapubic Tube, as pre-determined by the patient and surgeon. At the end of the surgery, the ports are removed from the abdomen and the remaining incisions are closed with a few stitches.
The surgery takes approximately 2-2 1/2 hours to complete. Most patients go home within 24 hours and return to normal activity within two weeks. Patients walk the evening of surgery and begin a clear diet one day after surgery.
Fewer Complications
While there are risks to every operation, those risks are reduced with the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP). Among VIP patients to date, 98 percent had no complications. Complications during surgery can include a hernia at the "port," where the scopes are inserted into the body, post-operative bleeding, a deep venous thrombosis or blood clots that develop in the veins of the legs and the pelvic region.
No Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy patient has had to undergo a transfusion due to excessive blood loss. The risk of blood loss with the VIP is much lower compared to open surgery. More than 97 percent of our VIP patients are not anemic at time of discharge from the hospital.
Scarring at the site of the connection between the bladder and the urethra occurs approximately 1 percent of the time and is relatively minor. It can be treated by a simple outpatient procedure, if necessary.
Most patients experience very little pain after robotic prostatectomy. Discomfort also has been reduced with Dr. Menon's catheter-free approach. Be sure to ask if this approach is right for you.
