In many cases of prostate cancer, surgical removal of the entire prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) is the preferred treatment. Traditionally, prostatectomy has been accomplished by making an incision in the lower abdomen. Evolution in the surgical technique over the past twenty years has improved the ability to cure the cancer while reducing potential complications such as blood loss, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.
Under the leadership of Dr. Christopher Kane, the urologic surgery team at Moores UCSD Cancer Center has developed an expertise performing robotic radical prostatectomy and has achieved excellent results. With the use of the state of-the-art robotic system (daVinci Surgical System, Intuitive Surgical), our surgeons benefit from a magnified, three-dimensional view during the operation, making the most delicate nerve-sparing operations more successful.
Robotic radical prostatectomy is gaining popularity among both urologists and patients for its consistent excellent outcomes. This approach to radical prostatectomy offers the surgeon excellent magnification, very precise instrument control and superb bleeding control with a very low risk of blood transfusion (under 1%). UCSD has the most experienced, comprehensive team of prostate cancer specialists, having performed over 300 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy procedures.
Patient outcomes have been excellent, with cancer control, continence recovery and sexual potency recovery similar to our outstanding outcomes achieved with open retropubic radical prostatectomy, with the benefits of less bleeding, lower transfusion rate, less postoperative pain and quicker return to full activities. Dr. Kane, Dr. Downs and Dr. Parsons all perform nerve sparing robotic radical prostatectomies at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.
More Information
Learn About Robotic Prostate Surgery in this Fox6 News Interview with Robotic Surgery Pioneer Dr. Christopher Kane.
Read a sample consultation between a UCSD surgeon and a patient considernig 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.