By Naveen Kella, MD
Since receiving FDA
approval in 2000, the
robotic radial prostatectomy
has become the fastest
growing treatment for
prostate cancer.
Nationwide, approximately
30 to 40 percent of all radical
prostatectomies are now preformed
robotically. Locally, since Baptist
Health System
acquired the robotic
technology in 2004, more than 400
cases have been performed for
prostate cancer.
Sitting at a console a few feet away
from the operating table, the breakthrough
capabilities of the robot
translate the surgeon’s hand movements
into precise, scaled, tremorfree
movements of micro-instruments
within the operative site. The
improved dexterity of the robotic
wrists combined with the magnified,
three-dimensional view the surgeon
experiences at the console enable him to use a minimally invasive approach,
even when performing complex procedures.
For qualified patients, robot-assisted
prostate surgery offers numerous potential
benefits over the traditional open
prostatectomy including shorter hospital
stay, less pain, less risk of infection,
less blood loss and fewer transfusions,
less scarring, faster recovery and quicker
return to normal activities.
Achieving these benefits, however,
depends on the individual case as well
as the experience of the surgeon. Most
urologists agree that the learning curve
for robotics is steep. For the author,
who has personally performed over 400
robotic prostatectomies, an initial comfort
level arose at 20 cases and then
another level at 150 to 200 cases. This
perhaps is the most important point.
While the robot is truly a tool capable
for improving patient outcomes, its
abilities ultimately rest on the surgeon’s
experience and skills.
back to top
