Robotic Urologic Surgery

Robotic Urologic Surgery

Orlando Health offers robotic-assisted procedures for adults requiring surgery for prostate cancer, renal cancer and kidney problems. The precision of minimally invasive robotic technology is ideal for complex and delicate urologic surgeries. Orlando Health surgeons who use the da Vinci® robotic system have an exacting tool for avoiding damage to surrounding arteries, veins and nerves with less chance of infection, less scarring, less pain and faster recovery times.

Single Port Robotic Surgery

Single-port robotic surgery represents a significant advancement in robotic assistance during surgery. This technique uses the da Vinci SP surgical system, specifically designed for intricate procedures such as prostatectomy, which involves partial or complete removal of the prostate gland. The term "single port" means only one abdominal incision is required to access the prostate gland and its surrounding area.

Robotic Radical Prostatectomy

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men, but it can often be treated successfully. Among the options for treating prostate cancer, removal of the prostate gland is often recommended if the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland.

Compared to traditional, long incision surgery for prostate cancer, robotic prostatectomies have proven to result in fewer complications, less blood loss, less need for blood transfusions, lower mortality rates, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries.

The robotic procedure involves smaller incisions and requires fewer sutures, resulting in less chance of tearing and infection. Robotic prostate surgery also allows for a cleaner removal of malignant tissue and reduces damage to healthy tissue.

Robotic Partial Nephrectomy

Robotic partial nephrectomy provides patients with a safe and effective way to remove a small kidney tumor through a few small incisions, while preserving the remainder of the kidney. This minimally invasive technique provides patients with less pain, less scarring, a shorter hospital stay and earlier return to daily activities compared to traditional open surgery. Recovery from this robotic procedure generally takes 1–2 days compared to 3–4 days for conventional open surgery. 

Robotic Radical Nephrectomy

For certain patients, a partial nephrectomy may not be possible due to the tumor’s size or location in the kidney. In such cases, a robotic radical nephrectomy to remove the entire kidney may be an option. This minimally invasive procedure offers patients many of the same advantages as a robotic partial nephrectomy, including less pain and trauma on the body and a shorter recovery time than conventional open surgery. Recovery from this robotic procedure generally takes 1–3 days compared to 3–4 days for conventional open surgery.  

Robotic Pyeloplasty

Robotic pyeloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed to remove a blockage that prevents urine passing from the ureter outside the kidney to the bladder. A blockage may be congenital and become progressively worse over time or it may be caused by kidney stones or scar tissue.

During a robotic pyeloplasty, the surgeon makes several small incisions to remove the obstruction and reconstruct the urinary tract. Robotic pyeloplasty is non-scarring and has a significantly shorter recovery time than open surgery, with patients able to return to their daily activities often just 2 weeks after surgery, compared to 6–8 weeks with traditional surgery.

The da Vinci system also provides surgeons with better suturing capabilities than can be achieved in open or laparoscopic surgery. Furthermore, studies indicate that the robotic procedure can be done with less blood loss, decreased complications, a shorter hospital stay and improved outcomes compared to laparoscopic pyeloplasty.