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Robotic Radical Cystectomy |
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Cystectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the bladder. It is used to treat bladder cancer that has spread into the bladder wall (stages II and III) or to treat cancer that has recurred following initial treatment.
For most patients radical cystectomy, or removal of the entire bladder, is the most effective option. During a radical cystectomy nearby lymph nodes, part of the urethra, and nearby organs that may contain cancer cells are also removed. Performing these delicate procedures robotically allows the surgeon to magnify the surgical area, making it much easier to work around the tiny nerves that affect sexual function.
- In men , the prostate, the seminal vesicles, and part of the vas deferens are removed.
- In women , the cervix, the uterus, the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and part of the vagina are removed.
After the bladder is removed, your surgeon will create a urinary diversion. In some cases that can be a new bladder that's made from a segment of bowel and attached to the urethra, that allows you to urinate normally through the urethra.
Patients who undergo the robotic procedure generally return to a normal diet sooner and spend less post-surgical time in the hospital than they would if their procedure was performed in the traditional open fashion.
Learn more
 Read a sample consultation between a UCSD surgeon and a patient considering robotic surgery
 Watch a 52-minute presentation on the Advantage of Robotic Surgery
Mark Talamini MD, discusses the advantages of these new technologies and how they are best applied.
Robotic Surgery Program
UCSD Medical Center
200 West Arbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92103
(800) 926-8273 |