What are the downsides to robotic prostatectomy?
A. Very little. The risk of injury to the rectum or ureters is higher compared with open surgery (1.2% instead of 0.7%). Certain safety policies aimed at reducing these risks have, therefore, been instituted for patients undergoing robotic prostatectomy at Morristown Memorial Hospital (click on this to see safety policies at MMH). There is a small chance of a urinary leak at the junction between the bladder and the urethra. In robotic surgery, access to the pelvis is made through the abdominal cavity. (In open surgery, the incision is made in such a way as to skip directly to the pelvis, excluding the abdominal contents). If urine leaks into the abdominal cavity in significant amounts you may become quite ill. A drain is therefore left in the pelvis (which exits your right lower abdomen) in order to draw away any urine which may collect there. The junction is checked for perfect water-tightness prior to exiting the operating room, and the drain is removed the next day if the drainage i
