da Vinci Surgery System
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da Vinci ® Prostatectomy
If your doctor recommends surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for a new, less-invasive surgical procedure called da Vinci ® Prostatectomy. This procedure incorporates a state-of-the-art surgical system that helps your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.
The Disease: Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of the semen.
Approximately 16 percent of American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime in their life. Treatment options and prognosis depend on the stage of the cancer, the Gleason score, and the patient's age and general health. With greater public awareness, early detection is on the rise and mortality rates are declining.
Additionally, new advances in medical technology are enabling cancer victims to go on to live active and productive lives after their treatment. Consult with your doctor for advice on the options that are available to treat your specific condition.
da Vinci ® Prostatectomy: Benefits to the Patient
da Vinci ® Surgery uses the latest in surgical and robotics technologies and is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. For prostatectomy, the target site is not only tightly confined, but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function. With da Vinci ®, our surgeons have a better tool to spare those delicate and critical surrounding nerves. Benefits may include:
- Significantly less pain
- Less blood loss
- Fewer complications
- Less scarring
- A shorter hospital stay
- And a faster return to normal daily activities
As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is unique to each patient and procedure.
Credits
Author: Intuitive Surgical ®
Last Updated: December 2007