5 Advantages of Robotic Prostate Surgery
Posted on: 13 January 2017
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If you're faced with having prostate surgery, you may be interested to learn that it is now possible to have the procedure carried out via robotic laparoscopy prostatectomy, rather than by traditional open surgery.
Here are 5 advantages of robotic prostate surgery for prostate conditions over open surgery.
1. You will have much less scaring
One major advantage to robotic surgery is that you will have much less scaring because the procedure is minimally invasive. This compares to a possible 8cm scar, which could be expected via the traditional open surgical route.
2. Your stay in hospital will be much shorter
Because the robotic procedure is minimally invasive, your pain following the operation will be minor. Although you will need to stay in hospital for one night before your operation, you should be able to go home in the afternoon of the following day after having your procedure in the morning.
You will also require less pain medication following robotic surgery, meaning that you will feel 'normal' much more quickly than you would do with open surgery where greater drug therapy is required.
3. You will lose much less blood during robotic prostate surgery
With traditional open surgery, it is common for patients to lose around 600cc of blood or more, meaning that patients often require a transfusion.
Robotic prostate surgery usually sees a blood loss of less than 200cc, negating the risk of transfusion being required.
4. You won't need to be catheterised for too long post-procedure
Having to wear a catheter after your operation is not pleasant, but with robotic surgery you will only have to put up with one for a week or so. Traditional surgery generally sees patients needing a catheter for up to two weeks.
5. Robotic surgery should have less impact on erectile function
Sometimes, traditional open surgery results in nerve damage, making it difficult for the patient to attain and maintain an erection post-surgery.
The improved surgical view provided by robotic surgery allows much greater precision, meaning that the surgeon can avoid moving or damaging the nerves concerned with erectile function. In addition, the lack of pooling blood around the operation site also allows the surgeon a much clearer picture of where the nerves are situated.
In conclusion
If you have to under prostate surgery, a robotic laparoscopy prostatectomy offers many advantages as outlined above. For more guidance and information on what to expect during a robotic laparoscopy prostatectomy procedure, have a chat with your GP or surgical team.