Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Patients with prostate cancer appear to be in good health, and their cancer appears confined to their prostate gland could be good candidates for a robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. This state-of-the-art procedure has proved to be beneficial for many who are looking for better ways to address their prostate cancer.

If you have prostate cancer and are looking for a surgeon that can perform robotic surgery, then call Urology of Greater Atlanta or make an appointment online today! Our board-certified urologists can assist you at one of our many locations throughout Georgia.

What Is Radical Prostatectomy Surgery?

A radical prostatectomy (prostate removal) is surgery to remove the entire prostate gland and some of the tissue around it. This surgical procedure is used to treat clinically localized prostate cancer. Pelvic lymph node dissection may also be done at the same time.

The procedure is associated with minimal risk of side effects, and major complications are rare. The potential advantages of this procedure include the chance to have a long life expectancy and, at the same time, preserve sexual function.

What Are The Different Types of Prostate Cancer Surgery?

There are many different approaches to prostate surgery. The procedure could be minimally invasive, or it could be an open radical prostatectomy. The two types of radical prostatectomy are explained in detail below.

Retropubic Prostatectomy

This is the most common surgical approach used by urologists. The doctor will make an incision in the wall of your abdomen just below your belly button.  

If the doctor believes that the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes, he may decide to remove them from around the prostate gland and remove the prostate gland.

Perineal Prostatectomy

With perineal prostatectomy, the incision is made between the anus and the scrotum. This procedure is used less frequently because it’s more challenging to spare the nerves, and the lymph nodes can’t be removed.

However, this procedure is time-efficient and may be an option if the nerve-sparing approach isn’t necessary. Perineal prostatectomy may be used if a retropubic prostatectomy cannot be used because of other medical issues.

Minimally Invasive Surgical Methods

Minimally invasive surgery may include the following procedures:

Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

The surgeon makes several minor cuts to give access to the long, thin tools required. The surgeon is guided by a thin tube with a video camera (laparoscope) inserted along with the other instruments.

Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

This is the same procedure as stated above with the aid of a robotic system. Robotic surgery allows the surgeon to perform the minimally invasive technique with greater accuracy. The surgeon controls the robotic arm while sitting at a computer monitor near the operating table.

Which Prostate Surgery Is Best?

The use of minimally invasive procedures has become extremely popular in the last few years due to the latest advances in medical techniques.

Researchers in Boston reported on a study comparing open surgery outcomes, benefits, and complications versus minimally invasive surgery. Below you can see some of their findings:

• There was no difference in deaths or the need for additional cancer therapy between open surgery and the minimally invasive approach.
• On average, the hospital stay was 2 days for minimally invasive surgery and 3 days for open surgery.
• Only 2.7% of men having laparoscopic surgery required a blood transfusion. Whereas 20.8% of men required it when having open surgery.
• There was more narrowing of the suture, where internal body parts are rejoined for open surgery (14%) than for minimally invasive surgery (5.8%).
• Minimally invasive surgery caused fewer respiratory complications (4.3%) than open surgery (6.6%).
• Open surgery resulted in lower rates of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The overall rate was 4.7% for laparoscopic surgery and 2.1% for open surgery.

The evidence suggests that many with organ-confined prostate cancer will benefit from robotic prostatectomy.

Find Your Surgeon Today!

If you have prostate cancer and are looking for a surgeon that can perform robot-assisted laparoscopic radical surgery, then call Urology of Greater Atlanta or make an appointment online today!

Our board-certified urologists have experience in treating complex men’s health issues and women’s health conditions using robotic-assisted procedures, such as robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy for pelvic prolapse. Contact one of our many offices conveniently located throughout Georgia for more information.