MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

If you and your doctor decide on surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive surgical procedure called robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate to treat prostate cancer. The DaVinci robot is a state-of-the-art surgical system that utilizes fine instrumentation guided by a trained urologist who uses the equipment to surgically remove your prostate gland through several small incisions.

For most patients, potential advantages with robot prostatectomy over open radical prostatectomy include:

• Decreased blood loss and decreased likelihood of blood transfusion
• Improved visualization of the anatomy due to 3-D vision, increased magnification, and less blood loss
• Small incisions less than ½ an inch.
• Precise, fine surgical maneuvers guided by the surgeon
• Less pain after surgery, decreasing the need for pain medications
• Faster recovery. Most patients are well enough to leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery and resume routine activities 1–2 weeks after surgery.
• Overall fewer postoperative complications