Surgical Removal of the Prostate Using Robots: Details on the Process, Healing Time, and Results
In the realm of advanced prostate cancer treatment, robotic prostatectomy has emerged as a significant option, offering a balance between cancer control and functional preservation.
Robotic prostatectomy is a type of keyhole surgery used to remove a person's prostate. This minimally invasive procedure, which involves the use of robotic arms guided by a surgeon, offers several advantages over open surgery, including less blood loss, fewer transfusions, shorter hospital stays, smaller incisions, and shorter catheterization times.
The long-term oncological control of robotic prostatectomy is favourable, with high overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates. According to long-term studies, OS rates are around 95% at 5 years and 86% at 10 years, with no prostate cancer deaths during median follow-up periods over 10 years.
Robotic prostatectomy also achieves good oncological control, with a lower risk of biochemical recurrence compared to laparoscopic surgery. However, it's important to note that high-risk patients with PSA persistence may require additional therapies such as hormone therapy or radiotherapy.
Functional outcomes are another key aspect of robotic prostatectomy. The procedure tends to have better recovery of erectile function compared to laparoscopic methods, improving sexual function, which is a crucial determinant of quality of life. Urinary continence outcomes, however, are less consistent across studies.
Preparing for a robotic prostatectomy involves adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as eating a balanced diet, walking 1-2 miles per day, quitting smoking, reaching a moderate weight, performing kegel exercises, and taking nightly, low doses of phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
It's normal to feel tired for some time after the surgery, and a doctor can prescribe pain relievers to help ease this. A person will also require a urinary catheter in the days after the procedure.
Robotic prostatectomies, like any other surgery, come with certain risks, including nausea and vomiting from anesthesia, bleeding, blood clots, organ damage, infection, pain, and the potential for longer-term complications like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
In cases where prostate cancer has spread, robotic prostatectomies can still be useful, as they can slow the rate of cancer growth. However, the procedure is mainly used when prostate cancer has not spread, with the aim of curing the cancer.
Removing the prostate can lead to urinary incontinence, which may take several weeks or months to resolve and in some cases, may require lifelong treatment. Erections require nerves close to the prostate, and their removal during surgery may cause a degree of erectile dysfunction that could last for up to 2 years.
For people undergoing a robotic prostatectomy, organisations such as Cancer Care and The American Society of Clinical Oncology can provide financial help or advice. Visiting a dedicated hub offers research-backed information and in-depth resources on prostate cancer.
In summary, robotic prostatectomy offers a promising approach for advanced prostate cancer treatment, balancing cancer control with functional preservation. Long-term follow-up and standardized outcome reporting remain important to fully define success rates and effects.
- Robotic prostatectomy, a keyhole surgery, is beneficial for men's health, especially in managing chronic diseases like prostate cancer.
- The health-and-wellness benefits of robotic prostatectomy extend beyond cancer control, with better recovery of erectile function compared to other methods, enhancing sexual function.
- Medical-conditions such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction may arise after the surgery and could require therapies-and-treatments or lifelong management.
- Organizations such as Cancer Care and The American Society of Clinical Oncology provide assistance for men undergoing robotic prostatectomy, offering financial help and research-backed information.
