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Robotic surgery improves prostate cancer outcomes

Pedro Banda, M.D., Urologist Surgeon, Columbia St. Mary’s

Posted: Sept. 1, 2007

This year, Columbia St. Mary’s acquired the most advanced surgical robotic system – the da Vinci® S HD™ Surgical System. This breakthrough robotic technology has drastically improved the quality of surgery and brought minimally invasive surgery to a new level of precision. Columbia St. Mary’s is the first hospital in Milwaukee to use robotic surgery with 3D in high definition, and one of a few hospitals in Wisconsin offering both laparoscopic and robotic assisted prostatectomy.

Minimally invasive surgery emerged in 1996 with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy to offer a viable alternative to traditional open surgery. For those who are candidates for laparoscopy, the surgery provides smaller incisions (1-2 cm), shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery and function, less pain, muscle and tissue damage, less blood loss and reduced scaring.

Robotic surgery takes minimally invasive surgery a step further providing even more precise, accurate dissection and improved quality of care. With robotic surgery, the surgeon performs procedures through an imaging console. Columbia St. Mary’s new da Vinci® S HD™ Surgical System is an improved model that offers improved fiber optics through 3D resolution and High Definition, allowing for enhanced visualization in microscopic detail. The system features three robotic arms that mimic the detailed hand movements of the surgeon.

Cardiac surgery was the first to use a robotic system, but soon after, gynecologic and urologic surgeons found it useful since it has the ability to access deep, narrow spaces. In fact, the most radical improvements with minimally invasive robotic surgery have been found in the treatment of prostate cancer.

The prostate is in a narrow space under the pubic bone, deep within the pelvis. Precise dissection of the prostate allows removal of the cancer, preservation of the nerves for sexual function and sphincter for bladder control. Recent studies indicate excellent results with the new robotic system due to improved visualization and finer dissection.

This evolving technology has opened the window to the future – improving quality of care and quality of life for men with prostate cancer. The da Vinci® S HD™ Surgical System is giving men the latest advances to combat prostate cancer.

To learn more about the da Vinci® S HD™ Surgical System, visit MedicalMoment.org.

Pedro Banda, M.D.
Urologist Surgeon
Columbia St. Mary’s
414-326-1745

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