Open Surgery
When medication and other non-surgical treatments are either unavailable or cannot relieve symptoms, surgery is the accepted treatment for a broad range of conditions that affect the organs of the urinary tract and the male reproductive organs.
Traditional open urologic surgery – in which large incisions are made to access the pelvic organs – has been the standard approach when surgery is warranted. Yet common drawbacks of this procedure include significant post-surgical pain, a lengthy recovery and — depending on the procedure performed — unpredictable and potentially long-term impact on continence and sexual function.
Fortunately, less invasive surgical options are available to many patients facing urologic surgery. The most common of these is laparoscopy, or minimally invasive surgery, which uses small incisions. While laparoscopy can be very effective for many routine procedures, limitations of this technology often prevent its use in more complex urologic surgeries, including those performed to treat cancer.
A new category of surgery, introduced with the development of the da Vinci ® Surgical System, is being used by an increasing number of surgeons worldwide for prostatectomy and other urologic procedures. This minimally invasive approach, utilizing the latest in surgical and robotics technologies, is ideal for complex urologic surgery. This includes prostatectomy, in which the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by delicate nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function. Using da Vinci , your surgeon has a better tool to spare surrounding nerves, which may enhance both your recovery experience and clinical outcomes.
Learn more about minimally invasive surgery for urologic conditions.
Learn more about minimally invasive da Vinci Surgery.
AUA 2007 Guidelines page 4 (Of the 234,460 men in the United States diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, 91% have localized disease.)- AUA 2007 Guidelines page 14
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctor about da Vinci Surgery are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. All persons depicted are models unless otherwise noted. © 2012 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved. Intuitive, Intuitive Surgical, da Vinci, da Vinci S, da Vinci Si, Single-Site, InSite, TilePro and EndoWrist are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intuitive Surgical. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.