Robotic Surgery in Urology

By Medical Expert Team

May 07 , 2020 | 2 min read

Urology is a branch of medicine catering to disease of urinary system and male sexual disorders. Over the years, it has always been in forefront to imbibe latest technologies for the benefit of patients. Indian urologists are considered to be at par with those in the developed Western world, in terms of expertise and use of latest technologies.

da Vinci surgical robot, approved by FDA (USA) in 2002 has transformed the way surgeries are carried out. It provides the surgeon with 12 times magnified field of vision in 3D and enables surgeon to sit on a console and control robotic arms using joysticks to carry out even the most intricate steps of complex surgical procedures with unparalleled ease and finesse. The robotic arms with “Endowrist®” and seven-degree freedom of movement allows surgeon to replicate hand movements. It’s like surgeon sitting inside the body to perform surgery.

With surgical robot, the most technically complex urological surgeries are now possible in a minimally invasive “keyhole” fashion.

Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Incidence of prostate cancer is rapidly increasing in India and a radical surgery is curative for this disease. Open surgery used to be the standard with average blood loss of around 1000 ml. Now, the same procedure is being done robotically with average blood loss of only 50 ml.
Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. This used to be one of the most morbid surgery, in which, after removal of cancerous urinary bladder, a new bladder was made with intestines. Long recovery period and surgical wound infections were common. Robot assisted radical cystectomy has provided huge advantage for the patients.
Partial nephrectomy for kidney cancer. With current radiological investigations like USG, CT, most of kidney cancers are diagnosed early and can be managed with removing only the tumorous part, preserving healthy kidney. Open partial nephrectomy required a long incision with pain, big unsightly scar and long recovery period. With surgical robot, the same procedure can be done with “keyhole” and comparable outcomes
Renal transplant: With surgical robots, even kidney transplant is being done successfully. This is of much advantage in obese patients (significantly reduced risk of surgical wound infection and improved graft kidney survival) and young women (cosmetically superior)
Many reconstructive surgeries of urinary system like pyeloplasty, ureteric reimplantation, vesico-vagninal fistula repair, bladder augmentation, etc.

Max Super specialty Hospital, Saket boasts of latest generation “da Vinci Xi surgical robot”, on which, more than 1000 surgical procedures of various complexities have been successfully done till date. Our Urology team is one of the most experienced team with vast experience in dealing all gamut of Urological diseases. Successfully treated patients from India, Africa, middle East and Central Asia are live testimony to our dedication to provide most advanced urological care to our patients.