Robotic radical prostatectomy is fast becoming the most popular treatment for prostate cancer, especially when the cancer is confined to the prostate gland.
There are several benefits to robotic radical prostatectomy, as opposed to a conventional open surgery prostatectomy:
- Smaller and fewer incisions
- Faster continence (control of urine) and potency recovery, with less blood loss and pain
- Shorter time dependent on a catheter (tube that drains urine from the bladder)
- Shorter hospital stay of 2 – 3 days, as compared to 5 – 7 days with conventional surgery
- Better conservation of the nerves needed to achieve and maintain an erection
In addition, patients who have undergone the procedure reported not needing any blood transfusions, experienced no rectal injury and did not require conversion to open surgery.