Robotic Prostatectomy: What You Need to Know

Sep 21
07:24

2013

Rita Wilbert

Rita Wilbert

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There are a number of prostate cancer men who choose minimally invasive surgeries as treatment for the malady. Robotic prostatectomy is minimally inva...

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There are a number of prostate cancer men who choose minimally invasive surgeries as treatment for the malady. Robotic prostatectomy is minimally invasive with benefits like shorter hospital stay and lesser risk of potential complications. The small incisions required by the robotic arms reduce the risk of blood loss and infection as compared to the larger incisions required by open surgery and the use of larger instrumentation. As with other surgeries,Robotic Prostatectomy: What You Need to Know Articles robotic prostatectomy has no guarantees, claimed medical experts. This article aims to discuss the disadvantages associated with robotic prostatectomy.
Cost - All robotic surgeries, including robotic prostatectomy, come with a hefty cost. They are more expensive compared to other surgical methods but it does not necessarily improve patient's long-term outcomes. 
Urinary Incontinence - It is described as the loss of ability to control urination and it is one of the potential risk that can be experienced by the patient after robotic prostatectomy. For many men this may take 6-18 months. Permanent incontinence after robotic prostatectomy, however, is rare when performed by an experienced surgeon.
Erectile dysfunction - The risk of erectile dysfunction or impotence is a significant risk, especially after the time of the surgery. While some studies say that robotic procedures have a lower risk of long term impotence, there are other studies that show that the type of surgery is less important than the skill of the surgeon and the number of surgeries the surgeon has performed.
While robotic-assisted prostatectomy is considered safe and effective, it may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. For a more complete information on surgical risks, safety and indications for use, please refer to the page on da Vinci lawsuit at davinci-lawsuit.org