What is Robotic Prostate Surgery?
Dr. Samadi performs robotic prostate cancer surgery using the da Vinci robotic system. This minimally invasive procedure employs the latest advancements in robotics and computer technology to completely remove the cancerous prostate. It is a type of keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.
During surgery, Dr. Samadi is in complete control of the robotic instruments at all times. His expert hands, translated into the EndoWrists, control every movement of the robot while the 3D view gives him a high definition magnification of the surgical field.
Does the da Vinci prostatectomy robot perform the operation?
Absolutely not! It is critical for patients to understand that the robot alone does not ensure success. Dr. Samadi controls the prostate surgery from start-to-finish, expertly directing every movement of the robot based on his vast experience.
The da Vinci robotic system contains two main components:
- The patient unit represents the 4 arms of the robot which is placed beside the operating table. One arm of the robot holds the camera, while the 3 others hold the surgical instruments that will be used to make 5 small cuts into the abdomen. All movements of the patient unit are under the surgeon’s control through the control unit.
- The control unit is separated from the patient unit but is placed in the same operating room. Through the aid of the camera, the surgeon can clearly see the operating area (in a 3D form) on the screen. Also, he can magnify the view up to 10-12 times in order to precisely cut the damaged area without damaging the surrounding nerves. The controls are placed exactly below the screen and are used by the surgeon to direct the robot’s movements. The machine performs much smaller movements than the surgeon, ensuring a high grade of accuracy in each action.
Further, patients need not worry about technical issues during surgery as Dr. Samadi has the breadth of experience to expertly continue the surgery to a successful conclusion, with or without the robot.
What are the benefits of Robotic Prostate Surgery?
Since robotic prostate surgery uses tiny incisions, there is very little blood loss to obscure the surgical field. That clarity, plus the 3D magnification, provides superior visualization of the prostate. The dexterity and size of the robotic instruments enable Dr. Samadi to operate on the walnut-size prostate, densely surrounded by nerve bundles.
After a radical prostatectomy, men experience a quicker recovery and a shorter hospital stay. There is also a reduced risk of complications, the possibility of infections being minimized. The size of the incisions is smaller than in traditional, open surgeries. The robotic prostate surgery system requires 4-5 small incisions, each less than 2 inches. Also, the small size of the incisions ensures minimal scarring after robotic prostatectomy. This fact is not only beneficial for aesthetic reasons, but it also promotes better and faster healing.
Another critical benefit of surgery is prostate cancer staging. While this may seem backward, the truth is that current prostate cancer diagnostics are somewhat limited in their ability to precisely stage the disease. Research shows that, in as many as 40% of prostate cancer cases, post-surgery tumor analysis revealed a more advanced disease than shown by pre-surgery testing.
Robotic prostate surgery is the only prostate cancer treatment that removes the cancerous prostate and gives men the lifelong assurance of a nearly undetectable PSA level.
How should I choose a robotic prostate surgeon?
There are several factors to consider when choosing your robotic prostate surgeon. The most important thing to remember is that technology does not drive outcomes – the robot is only as skilled as the surgeon. Ask these questions:
- How many successful robotic prostate surgeries have you performed?
- Do you perform the entire surgery? Will I be your only patient in surgery at one time?
- What can I expect after surgery? What complications do your patients usually experience?
How many robotic prostate surgeries has Dr. Samadi performed?
Dr. Samadi has unparalleled experience in robotic prostate removal surgery. He has successfully removed over 7000 cancerous prostates with his novel SMART Surgery for robotic prostate removal. He conducts every surgery himself from start to finish. Preservation of sexual function, urinary control, and quality of life after prostate cancer are his top priorities.
SMART Surgery
What’s unique about Dr. Samadi’s SMART Surgery?
The Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique (SMART) Surgery is an innovative, robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) technique. It was expressly designed to spare the neurovascular bundles responsible for erectile function and better manage the urethra for optimal continence after surgery.
To further enhance the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, Dr. Samadi approaches the prostate from the inside out, rather than the outside in. During surgery, he preserves the three delicate areas most important to sexual function and urinary control:
- The urinary sphincter
- The endopelvic fascia
- The neurovascular bundles
Urinary control is further preserved by leaving the dorsal vein complex unstitched until the close of surgery, allowing Dr. Samadi to control urethra length and reduce urinary leaking. He uses only cold scissors and clips during surgery, never cautery, to further protect nerves.
SMART Surgery in Dr. Samadi’s hands takes less than 90 minutes, and since the procedure is minimally invasive, men typically return home less than 24 hours after the procedure. No blood transfusions are needed and recovery is much faster than with traditional surgery.
How soon will I resume my normal activities?
Many patients are able to return to work and regular activity in just 2-3 weeks after Dr. Samadi’s SMART prostate cancer treatment. Within 4-6 weeks, the majority of patients feel comfortable resuming most activities.
What about recovery? How will life be after SMART Surgery?
Dr. Samadi’s patients experience superior prostate cancer recovery results. After robotic prostate surgery, a man’s PSA should be nearly undetectable. That zero PSA level provides a lifetime of cancer-free assurance. After SMART Surgery, 96% of Dr. Samadi’s patients regain urinary control in just 2-3 months and 85% regain sexual potency in 12-24 months.
I’ve heard that I’ll have a catheter after surgery. For how long?
One of the benefits of robotic prostate surgery is that the catheter is removed just seven days after the procedure – that’s 1-2 weeks faster than with patients that have had their prostates removed with open surgery. Dr. Samadi will remove your catheter during an in-office follow-up procedure using X-ray to ensure proper urethra-bladder connection and healing.
Make sure to read about the other prostate cancer treatment options:
- Early and advanced stage prostate cancer treatments
- Active surveillance
- Non-surgical prostate cancer treatments
- Prostate cancer treatments Pros and Cons
Bibliography
1. How da Vinci works, Intuitive Surgery
2. Robotic prostate surgery, Johns Hopkins Medicine
3. Nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy, UF Health, University of Florida, Department of Urology
4. The Precision Prostatectomy, Research Gate
