Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy,
Using the daVinci Surgical System™

:: Request a referral to a surgeon at Baptist.

For patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, Baptist physicians may perform a radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate gland) using minimally invasive technology provided by the daVinci Surgical System™.

There are four main advantages to the patient for using the da Vinci system for this procedure:
• Faster recovery time
• Less post-operative pain
• Less blood loss during surgery
• Quicker return of urinary control and erectile function.

:: Watch a video of the procedure

For the radical prostatectomy, the surgeon makes a total of five incisions, the largest of which is no larger than the size of a dime. One is in the umbilicus, the others are made in a semi-circular fashion around the abdomen. In a traditional, open radical prostatectomy, the surgical incision reaches from the umbilicus to the pubic bone.

After the five small incisions are made, special instruments connected to the surgical robot are inserted inside each port. At this point, the surgeon scrubs out and takes his seat at a surgical console that commands the robotic equipment.

During the procedure, the surgeon operates while seated comfortably at the console where he views a 3-D image of the surgical field, while grasping master controls that convey his hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements performed by the robotic surgical instruments inside the patient. The instruments are designed with seven degrees of motion that mimic the dexterity of the human hand and wrist.

The surgeon sees the surgical field on a monitor that provides 10x magnification and 3D imagery. As the surgeon moves his hands in the handpieces, the surgical robot translates the motions of his hands within the surgical field.

Because this system allows surgeons to operate with 10x magnification and much less blood in the surgical field, it provides much better visualization of the delicate nerve bundles near the prostate. Early data shows the ability to control urination and erectile function returns faster with robotic surgery than with traditional surgery.

Physicians at Baptist who perform robotic prostatectomies include:

H. Jason Blalock, MD

Patrick P. Daily, MD

 

Learn more about this procedure from the manufacturer's of the daVinci Surgical System at their website:
www.davinciprostatectomy.com

:: Request a referral to a surgeon at Baptist.

:: Learn more about Baptist Cancer Services.

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