What is Robotic Prostatectomy?
Robotic prostatectomy is a robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. A radical prostatectomy is the complete removal of the prostate gland as well as some of the surrounding tissue. This surgery is performed to eradicate prostate cancer, a disease in which the cells of the prostate in the male reproductive system mutate and multiply uncontrollably. Laparoscopy, in which the doctor inflates the abdomen and inserts a lighted viewing instrument into the lower abdomen, allows doctors to see inside the patient without making large incisions like in an open surgery. Using laparoscopy, a doctor may be able to avoid open surgery entirely, which can decrease the risks, recovery period, and scarring involved with a more invasive surgery.
