Prostate cancer is one of the most prolific cancers suffered by men in Australia. In many instances, surgery is required to resolve prostate cancer issues, giving the patient the very best chance of beating cancer and maintaining an ongoing quality of life.
Traditional methods, such as radical prostatectomy, are still in use but robotic prostate surgery is a procedure that is being used more and more for prostate cancer patients. The reason being is that there are numerous advantages of robotic surgery and we’ll be taking a closer look at those in this article.
What Is Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgery?
Robotic prostate cancer surgery, also known as a robotic prostatectomy, makes use of laparoscopic surgery, where an intra-abdominal digital camera guides the surgeon with a clear, precise and magnified image. To remove the prostate, a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy method is employed. The procedure is only minimally invasive, which is one of the reasons so many eligible patients are opting for robotic prostate surgery over more traditional methods. The surgery requires just 6 tiny incisions to be made for the procedure to successfully be performed.
Due to the far less invasive nature of the surgery, patients usually only have to remain in the hospital for up to 48 hours before being discharged. Patients can spend the remainder of their recovery period in the comfort of their own homes.
Regular prostate surgery requires a large incision to be made, with recovery time from a traditional radical prostatectomy taking a lot longer.
What Are Some Of the Robotic Surgery Benefits?
Let’s take a look at the key benefits of robotic surgery for prostate cancer patients.
Rapid Recovery Time
As previously mentioned, recovery time is one of the greatest benefits that result from opting for robotic-assisted prostate cancer surgery. Rather than spending weeks recovering from prostate removal surgery, patients are home within days and resume normal activity within weeks following the procedure. Laparoscopic surgery always leads to a more rapid recovery and if a prostate cancer patient is a suitable candidate for laparoscopic robotic-assisted surgery, then it’s generally considered to be the best choice for rapid recovery.
Accurate and Effective Removal Of Cancerous Tissue
Another major benefit obtained using the robotic-assisted procedure is the more effective removal of cancer tissue. Prostate cancer surgery is designed to remove all cancerous tissue, which includes the prostate and any affected surrounding tissue. With enhanced imagery provided by the use of a camera, surgeons can readily see what tissue has been affected and are able to remove it with precision. This provides the patient with a far more positive prognosis moving forward and also helps to ensure the patient is cancer-free following the procedure.
Far Less Chance Of Developing Other Diseases Post-Surgery
Another advantage of robotic approaches is through how it reduces risks for patients. Due to the fact that the laparoscopic procedure is so precise and accurate, this minimises the chances of diseases such as erectile dysfunction developing post-surgery due to inadvertent tissue damage. While a radical prostatectomy is effective, robotic-assisted prostate surgery can be more accurate and reduce risks better. The chances of developing ED after robotic-assisted surgery are far less than with more traditional methods.
Robotic Prostate Surgery Minimises Incontinence Issues
Another common issue that can result from a radical prostatectomy is incontinence. Sometimes, damage to the urinary tract or pelvic floor muscles can result from a radical prostatectomy. A robotic prostatectomy’s accuracy allows many advantages. For example, when the surgeon is removing cancerous tissue, it’s far easier to avoid damaging unaffected surrounding tissue. This accurate and less invasive procedure can be a modestly better option for some and result in fewer incidences of patient incontinence following the surgery.
Is Every Patient Suitable For a Robotic Prostatectomy?
While the majority of patients with prostate cancer are suitable for robotic-assisted surgery, in some instances your surgeon will advise against it and recommend traditional surgery. There are also many advantages with traditional or open surgery and your doctors can discuss your options with you. This can also be better if a patient has undergone major abdominal surgery previously, or has undergone hernia surgery where mesh has been placed in the abdomen. Patients who suffer from eye diseases such as glaucoma are also advised not to undergo a robotic prostatectomy.
Book An Appointment With Katelaris Urology
For robotic treatment for prostate cancer Sydney, make an appointment with Katelaris Urology to discuss the procedure and whether it’s the right option for you. Just get in touch today.
