What are the serious complications that men can get who underwent minimally invasive prostate surgery?
The technique, which can shorten hospital stays and reduce some complications, is linked to a higher risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Men who need prostate- cancer surgery are increasingly choosing minimally invasive techniques because such surgeries typically lead to shorter hospital stays and a reduced risk of some types of complications. But a new study suggests that the risk of the most serious complications may be higher with the new technology. Minimally invasive forms of radical prostatectomy (in which the prostate gland is removed), often including the use of a robot, are heavily advertised. Procedures relying on robotic surgery have increased from 1% to 40% of all radical prostatectomies from 2001 to 2006 and may be as high as 75% of all prostate cancer surgeries today. The robotic techniques are advertised as safer or better than traditional, open prostatectomy. But a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. found that two of the most
Men who need prostate- cancer surgery are increasingly choosing minimally invasive techniques because such surgeries typically lead to shorter hospital stays and a reduced risk of some types of complications. But a new study suggests that the risk of the most serious complications may be higher with the new technology. Minimally invasive forms of radical prostatectomy (in which the prostate gland is removed), often including the use of a robot, are heavily advertised. Procedures relying on robotic surgery have increased from 1% to 40% of all radical prostatectomies from 2001 to 2006 and may be as high as 75% of all prostate cancer surgeries today. The robotic techniques are advertised as safer or better than traditional, open prostatectomy. But a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. found that two of the most serious complications — incontinence and erectile dysfunction — appeared more often in men who underwent minimally invasive surgery compared to o
