Laparoscopic and robotic surgeons make keyhole incisions, which are much smaller, much less invasive and nearly bloodless. The equivalent of a few tablespoons of blood is lost during robotic prostatectomies. When a large incision is made, blood loss is significant and transfusions are sometimes required.
Complication rates are far higher in open than robotic prostatectomies. Because far more tissue is exposed during open surgery, infection rates are higher.
With experience, robotic surgery techniques have become more refined. In Dr. Samadi’s case, the endopelvic fascia is no longer severed and the bladder neck is cut narrowly instead of wide.
A Gleason score is given to prostate cancer based on its microscopic makeup. Cancers with a higher Gleason score are more aggressive.
There’s been a significant decrease in operating room time with the use of robotic technology. Dr. Samadi is performs most surgeries in 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Robotic prostatectomy patients are released from the hospital after one day in nearly 100% of cases.
Just 6 years ago, laparoscopic surgeries exceeded robotic operations. Now, very few laparoscopic prostatectomies are performed.
Positive surgical margins indicate the progression of prostate cancer. The lower the positive margin, the less likely it is that cancer will recur.