Whether they're the result of cancer, an infection, or another health condition, urologic problems can impact your health — and disrupt your daily life. If you're living with a bladder, kidney, urinary tract, or prostate condition that is causing discomfort or annoying side effects, please know that effective treatments are available.
As a reconstructive urologist, I know how important it is for my patients to be aware of the benefits of robotic surgery in the hands of a skilled and experienced surgeon. Robotic surgery offers significant advantages over traditional approaches, especially when used to perform delicate and complex procedures.
Advantages of robotic surgery
Robotic surgery offers real advantages when used with reconstructive urologic procedures.
Smaller Incisions
Robotic surgery allows us to perform minimally invasive surgery — surgery done through small incisions, as opposed to a large, open incision. During a procedure, a surgeon seated at a large monitor expertly directs the robotic arms that carry surgical instruments and video cameras through the small incisions.
As I tell my patients, those tiny incisions offer some natural advantages. For example, patients can enjoy a quicker recovery with less discomfort and a better cosmetic result because smaller incisions often leave smaller scars.
Ability to operate on smaller organs
Often, we're dealing with very small organs. For example, Temple has helped pioneer surgeries that reconstruct blocked ureters, a pair of tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, that are only about as wide as a piece of spaghetti. As you can imagine, reconstructing something this thin involves extremely small, delicate stitching, and the robot allows us to do that much more easily. That translates to better results for our patients.
Improved 3D visualization
Robotic surgical systems allow us to see the surgical site in high-definition 3D and with greater magnification. Anyone who's been to a 3D movie can appreciate the advantage of this immersive view!
Increased precision
When we reconstruct organs, our goal is to restore their function. In urologic organs, restoration requires a very detailed approach and small, fine movements, which robotic technology was specifically designed to offer.
Life-changing surgeries
Every organ in the body has a job. But sometimes, urologic organs can become damaged or blocked, which prevents them from draining properly. Scar tissue — for instance, because of chronic kidney stones — is a common reason blockages form.
As a result of issues like these, many of our patients have had to use external or internal catheters (tubes placed inside or outside the body) inserted into their bladder or kidneys to help them urinate properly. These catheters can cause discomfort, inconvenience, and sometimes pain. Such tubes can also be challenging to manage and, over time, pose an infection risk.
Well, robotic urologic surgery can often be used to correct the dysfunction. These maneuvers often help my patients avoid needing to live with a catheter or other discomforts caused by urologic conditions.
Experience and skill matter
If you have a urologic condition that surgery could help with, a robotic approach could offer advantages over traditional surgery. However, not all centers nationwide have the same breadth of experience, expertise, and collaborative spirit.
One of the things that distinguishes the Fox Chase-Temple Urologic Institute is that we have a wide array of physicians experienced in robotic surgery. The team has developed a reputation for handling complex cases that other centers might need help managing. As a result, we can help patients who were previously told they didn't have a reconstructive option. We have several experts in robotic urologic reconstruction led by Drs. Daniel Eun, Randall Lee, Joshua Cohn, and me.
Our collaborative spirit helps our patients receive the best care possible. We work together to determine the best approach and ensure patients receive their surgery from a surgeon on our team with expertise in their specific condition.
Temple surgeons have performed thousands of robotic surgeries. We actively research robotic surgery and share our knowledge through journal articles, textbook chapters, and forums. These idea exchanges allow us to stay on the cutting edge of urologic care worldwide.
To make an appointment with a Temple expert in robotic urologic surgery, call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) or schedule an appointment online.