Robotic Surgery

What Is Robotic-Assisted Surgery?

Surgeons perform robotic-assisted surgeries for several different types of urologic operations, including radical prostatectomy. Our surgeons use the da Vinci Surgical System, a technologically advanced system utilizing robotic instruments introduced via tiny incisions or laparoscopic ports. These miniature instruments are under the direct control of the surgeon, providing added precision and dexterity, as well as better control movement compared to standard surgical instruments.

Why Doctors Choose Robot-Assisted Surgery

A robotic telescope gives an enhanced view of the operative field magnified 12 times and provides the surgeon a true 3-dimensional view of the operating field. This direct, natural hand-eye instrument alignment is similar to open surgery with “all-around” vision and the ability to zoom-in and zoom-out. The precision of these surgeries enhances the surgeon’s ability to repetitively perform technically precise maneuvers such as endoscopic suturing and dissection. In addition, it permits the surgeon to move instruments with such accuracy that the current definition of surgical precision is exceeded.

Patients Benefits of Robotic Surgery

Patients who undergo robotic surgery typically have less blood loss, scarring, and post-operative pain. Recovery is swifter than open surgery, and patients have shorter hospital stays due to fewer post-operative complications such as an infection. Patients typically can recover more quickly and return to their everyday activities much sooner. Robotic surgery is covered by almost all insurance plans.

The Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System

Robotic surgeries are performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, a technologically advanced system that utilizes robotic instruments introduced via tiny incisions or laparoscopic ports. These instruments are under the direct control of the surgeon and provide added precision and dexterity, and offer more control and range of motion than standard instruments. Additionally, the specialized telescope of the robot allows the surgeon to see the operative field under 12X magnification and in three dimensions, as opposed to the two dimensional view that standard laparoscopy offers to provide greater visual detail than has ever been possible.

This groundbreaking alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy enables our surgeons to perform even the most complex and delicate procedures through very small incisions with unmatched precision.

Chesapeake Urology's highly-skilled robotic surgeons are specially-trained on the da Vinci robotic surgical system. In fact, Chesapeake Urology surgeons performed the first robotic-assisted prostatectomy in a Maryland community hospital in 2005.