Though the first robotic surgery was performed by neurosurgeons to place a needle inside the brain in the early 80s, it is urology that has adapted to this technology to its maximum potential. The first robotic urology surgery was done for the removal of the prostate gland for cancer. As the prostate is the most deep-seated organ in the pelvis i.e., the lower part of the abdomen, it becomes difficult to approach it with open and laparoscopic surgery, but robot makes a significant difference in terms of ease of access, less blood loss, less operative time and more surgical precision. Since then, Urology has been the leading specialty to extend the benefit of this technology amongst all the specialties.
Urologic conditions in which Robotic-assisted Surgery is initiated
- Erectile dysfunction
- Incontinence
- Kidney stones
- Undescended testicle
- Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- Urinary tract infection
- Cancers
1. Prostate cancer
2. Kidney cancer
3. Bladder cancer
4. Upper tract TCC
5. Testicular cancer
6. Inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancerCommon Urologic procedures performed in Robotic assisted Surgery
For Benign Conditions of Urinary System (ablative surgery)
- Adrenalectomy: This is the gland located above the kidney and needs to be removed when it causes hormonal disbalance i.e., pheochromocytoma or Hyperaldosteronism. Sometimes these glands are required to be removed when they turn cancerous.
- Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery is an alternative to laparoscopic surgery to remove the entire kidney.
- Varicocelectomy: Robot assistance comes in handy to ligate the veins individually in varicocele.
For Benign conditions (Reconstructive surgery)
- Pyeloplasty
- Ureteric reimplantation
- Boari flap reconstruction
- Bladder augmentation
- Vesicovaginal fistula
- Colpo suspensionBenefits of Robotic assisted Surgery specific to Urology
- One of the main benefits of robotics in urologic surgery is that it helps in speedily returning erectile dysfunction and improving urinary incontinence within 6 months of the surgery.
- Besides this, there is also reduced loss of blood with a lower risk of wound infections and complications. - Hospital stay time is reduced along with the recovery time.
- Reduced pain and discomfort
- Lesser blood loss
- Lower risk of infections
- Shorter length of hospital stay
- Faster recovery and return to normal lifestyle
Our Team of Experts
- Dr. Mohan KeshavamurthyCONSULTANT UROLOGY
- Dr. Anil MandhaniEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UROLOGY
- Dr. Piyush VarshneyDIRECTOR UROLOGY
- Dr. Vikram SharmaDIRECTOR UROLOGY & HEAD ROBOTIC UROLOGY
- Dr. Shrinivas NarayanDIRECTOR UROLOGY
- Dr. Rohit DadhwalCONSULTANT UROLOGY
- Dr. Saurabh Ramesh PatilCONSULTANT UROLOGY
- Dr. Dharmender AggarwalCONSULTANT UROLOGY
- Dr. Karibasavaraja NeelagarADDITIONAL DIRECTOR UROLOGY
- Dr. Anurag PuriADDITIONAL DIRECTOR UROLOGY
FAQs
Are there different types of Surgery?
Open surgery
This requires large incisions to view the entire surgery area and perform the procedure using hand-held tools.
Minimally invasive surgery includes:
Traditional laparoscopic surgery:
Surgeons perform laparoscopic surgery using special long-hand held tools while viewing magnified images from the laparoscope (camera) on a video screen. Laparoscopy requires much smaller incision than open surgery. Instruments have restricted range of motion as compared to Robotic arms.
Robotic-assisted surgery:
While the word “robotic” is in the description, a robot doesn’t perform surgery. Your surgeon is the one performing surgery using the Robot and instruments. Robotic arms are operated by the surgeon at the console. With robotic arms and instruments engineered specifically for surgical use, the operative team can observe the surgery area in a highly accurate manner, with improved control, and in three-dimensional high definition
Why your doctor may recommend robotic-assisted surgery?
Just as technology, such as MRI and CT scanners, enhances doctors’ skills beyond what the human body allows, robotic- assisted surgery extends the capabilities of a surgeon’s eyes and hands.
Stays with you in the operating room and uses his or her hands to control a camera and surgical instruments to perform the procedure.
Views the entire operation in 3DHD, giving your surgeon a clear view of the surgical area that is magnified 10 times to what the human eye sees.
Uses tiny instruments that move like a human hand but with an even greater range of motion. The system’s built-in tremor-filtration technology helps your surgeon move each instrument with smooth precision.
What are the outcomes?
Be sure to talk with your surgeon about the surgical outcomes he or she delivers by using Robotic systems, as every surgeon’s experience is different. For example, ask about:
1. Length of hospital stay
2. Complication rate
3. Chance of switching to an open procedure
4. Length of surgery
There are additional outcomes of surgery that you may want to talk with your
doctor about. Please ask him or her about all important outcomes
of surgery.
How can you prepare for surgery?
One way to learn more about your surgery is to ask your doctor and care team questions few questions
1. What medical and surgical options are available for me?
2. Which is best for my situation?
3. What are the differences between open, laparoscopic,
4. and robotic-assisted surgery?
5. If you suggest I have surgery, how should I prepare for it?
6. Should I get a second opinion?
7. What am I likely to experience after surgery?
8. What is your surgical training and experience?
9. What is your experience with robotic-assisted surgery?
10. What are your patient outcomes?
How to decide if Robotics Surgery is right for you?
Patients should talk to their doctor to decide if robotic-assisted surgery is right for them. Only a doctor can determine whether robotic-assisted surgery is appropriate for a patient’s clinical indication. Patients and doctors should review all available information on both non-surgical and surgical options and make an informed decision.