Benefits of robotic surgery for prostate cancer
The benefits of robotic surgery -for both patient and physician- are profound.
The daVinci robotic-assisted surgery device has wristed instruments, which allow the surgeon to move his own hands the way he would in a traditional surgery with precision, extraordinary control and range of motion. In addition, the robot's video monitoring system provides a three-dimensional view of the surgery with magnification ten times that of the naked eye allowing surgeons the ability to see the operating field more clearly. The superior viewing capability allows surgeons to negotiate tissue planes and save crucial nerves and arteries which help regain sexual function and maintain continence.
More importantly, blood loss is greatly reduced. In a traditional open prostatectomy, due to the number of veins in that region, bleeding 
can be tremendous and the need for transfusion is frequent. With the da Vinci robotic surgery system, several tiny key-hole sized incisions are all that is needed to insert the instruments. Because the procedure takes place inside the patient, there is:
- Less overall trauma to the body.
- Less collateral damage to healthy tissue.
- Less post-operative pain and discomfort.
- Reduced blood loss and need for transfusion.
Patients undergoing robotic surgery:
- Experience fewer post-operative complications, including reduced risk of infection. Leave the hospital sooner.
- Have significantly less scarring.
- Can return to daily activities much faster-days instead of weeks.
As with any surgical procedure, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is both patient- and procedure-specific.
Next: Browse frequently asked questions about robotic surgery for prostate cancer.
For more information about robotic surgery, call 1-866-SJ-ROBOT (1-866-757-6268).
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