What is Urologic Robotic Surgery?
Loma Linda University Medical Center utilizes the da Vinci® Robotic Surgery System to provide our patients with surgeon-directed, robotic-assisted surgeries like robotic prostatectomy and robotic nephrectomy. The robotic surgery system cannot work without surgeon control, nor can it make decisions on its own. It is a technologically advanced tool that provides our surgeons with better visibility, precision and control in the operating field.
While traditional surgery requires a large incision so the surgeon's hands can fit inside the patient's abdomen, robotic surgery requires only 2 or 3 small incisions. The robotic arms and camera are positioned in these incisions, allowing all of the surgical movement to take place within the abdomen. The surgeon then has a close-up high definition view of the prostate, kidney or other urologic area and is able to guide the robotic hands to delicately move, cut and suture.
During the procedure, the surgeon sits at the nearby surgical console where he controls the robot's every movement through hand guides. The robotic arms mimic the surgeon's every movement and the rotating wrists allow the machine for a full range of motion. In the prostatectomy, the surgeon is able to plainly see and carefully remove the prostate while sparing the delicate nerves in the surrounding area. Robotic surgery represents the best technological innovation has to offer coupled with the years of experience resting in each surgeon on our team.
Advantages of Urology Robotic Surgery
Because the incision size is so small, and the robotic console allows for increased surgical precision, many prostate surgery patients experience significant advantages by choosing robotic surgery. Due to individual circumstances, these benefits may not apply to every patient. In comparison to the traditional surgical experience, robotic surgery patients usually experience:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Less pain
- Less risk of infection
- Less blood loss
- Fewer blood transfusions
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery Quicker return to normal daily activities
As the first hospital in the Inland Empire to introduce the state-of-the-art and minimally invasive da Vinci® Surgical System, Loma Linda University Medical Center is home to the most experienced surgeons in the region and offers the highest level of expertise in whole person health care.
For more information about urologic robotic surgery, see our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us today to meet with a physician.
