The da Vinci robotic surgery system often provides superior clinical results when compared to non-robotic traditional and scope assisted procedures.  This is because the da Vinci system allows the surgeon a full three dimensional high resolution view of what is being operated on.  The da Vinci view screen console is equipped to provide the surgeon revolutionary three dimensional multi-level magnification spectrum.  More traditional scope assisted surgery typically provides a much lower resolution image, and a far more limited field of vision.  Furthermore, the da Vinci system’s sensitive electronics and one centimeter diameter surgical arms allow the surgeon to make highly precise movements inside of the incision.  This means that the malignant tissue can be removed with an efficiency and ease unheard of prior to the era of robotic surgery.  This greater precision equates to a reduced likelihood of relapse due to missed cancerous tissue.  The precision of the da Vinci system also allows for the surgeon to largely avoid damaging healthy prostate tissue, which improves clinical results, reduces scar tissue build up, and contributes to an overall shorter recovery period.

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Surgery is always an inherent risky medical procedure.  However, for the treatment of cancer, surgical options can be the most effective choice in eradicating the malignant tumors without the painful side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment.  Among the most serious risks associated with surgical treatments is the possibility of infection at the point(s) of incision.  Such infections are often the primary causes of serious complications which may hamper your ability to quickly and properly recover from your procedure.  The da Vinci system greatly mitigates that risk of infection in a number of ways.  First, the size of incision(s) made is significantly smaller with robotic surgery than with the traditional procedure.  A standard non-robotic prostatectomy typically requires the surgeon to make a six to eight inch vertical incision into the patient’s lower abdomen.  Such a relatively large incision subjects the patient to a number of operative and post-operative infectious agents.  That is to say that not only is the open incision site susceptible to any infectious agents during the procedure, but also the closed but unhealed wound left from the incision may be at risk of contracting harmful infections.  Post-operative infections are the more common of the two infection risk categories, as hospital rooms cannot be maintained at the extremely high level of sterility which operating rooms are kept.  The da Vinci robotic surgical system, however, utilizes a much less invasive technique which requires four to five incisions smaller than two inches each.  Each of these smaller incisions will heal significantly faster than the six to eight inch incision needed for traditional surgery.  Fewer sutures are needed to close the robotic system’s incisions.  This quickens recovery time as well as being less painful to you as the patent.

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When your physician determines surgery is your best treatment option and refers you to an ontological surgeon, you can rest assured that Dr. Samadi and the da Vinci system offer you the best chance of a full and expedient recovery.  Da Vinci’s robotic surgical technology optimizes your chances of experiencing a quicker recovery time opposed to traditional surgical prostatectomy.  The smaller incisions required to maneuver the operating arms heal much faster, require less sutures and are less vulnerable to tearing or infection.  The highly precise movements of the robotic arms allow for cleaner removals of malignant tissue.  Such precision also produces a more targeted approach which reduces damage to healthy tissue during the operation.  The design of the robotic operating arms allow for the entire procedure to be conducted without having to leverage operating tools against the walls of the incision.  All of these advantages translate to a speedier and less worrisome recovery period.

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The sheer size of the incision needed to perform a traditional prostatectomy produces significant scaring of the patient’s lower abdomen.  The robotic prostatectomy procedure allows for incisions which can heal with little to no visible scaring.  In addition to the obvious aesthetic value, minimizing scar tissue on the interior walls of the incision can promote better healing of the prostate.  Excess scar tissue build up can sometimes interfere with the proper function of the prostate.  Although such a complication is typically considered rare, it is worth considering when exploring treatment options.  The precision of robotic surgery offers an inherent solution to this potential difficulty.  By minimizing the total size of the incision needed to remove cancerous tissue this risk of scar tissue related complications is greatly mitigated. 
 
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Robotic Assisted Surgery
The surgeon operates while seated comfortably at the da Vinci Robotic System console viewing a 3-D image of the operation. The surgeon’s hand, wrist, and finger movements are translated to the surgical instruments inside the patient while completing the robotic prostatectomy.

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This part of the robot provides the instrument arms that are completely under the control of the surgeon. The laparoscopic arms pivot at the 1-cm operating ports eliminating the use of the patient’s body wall for leverage and minimizing tissue damage. Supporting surgical team members assist in installing the proper instruments, preparing the 1-cm port in the patient, as well as supervise the laparoscopic arms and tools being utilized whenever a robotic prostatectomy is underway.

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This component provides true 3-D images of the operative field. Operative images are enhanced, refined and optimized using image synchronizers, high intensity illuminators and camera control units during the course of the robotic assisted surgery.

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