Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer

This article is contributed by Dr. Hemang Bakshi, Head of Department of Uro-oncology and Robotic Surgery, HCG Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad.

Table of Contents

• Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer
• Overview
• What is Robotic Prostatectomy?
• Who can have Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer?
• Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer
• Enhanced Precision
• Reduced Tissue Damage
• Reduced Blood Loss, Pain, and Scarring
• Less Risk of Infection
• Shorter Stay in Hospital
• Faster Recovery
• Bottom Note
• Frequently Asked Questions
• References

Overview

The fact that robotic technology has made cancer surgeries more tolerable, effective, and safe is beyond any shadow of a doubt.

By offering a clear and magnified view of the surgical site, robotic surgeries allow surgeons to operate on the tumor with enhanced accuracy and flexibility. Robotic surgery is one of the most promising prostate cancer treatment options, especially if the disease is in its early stages.

Lately, robotic surgery is becoming a standard cancer treatment for prostate cancer, in cases where the disease has not spread outside the prostate gland (localized).

Robotic prostatectomy, or robotic operation for prostate cancer, is associated with reduced pain and blood loss, minimal tissue damage, reduced scarring, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. Most importantly, the risk of infection is also significantly lower in cancer patients who have undergone a robotic prostatectomy.

What is Robotic Prostatectomy?

Tiny incisions are made at the beginning of the procedure to insert the robotic arms and a camera. The surgeon, who sits at the surgeon console, will carefully manipulate the robotic arms to facilitate the robotic removal of prostate gland.

Who Can Have Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer?

Those with early-stage prostate cancer, where the disease is confined to the organ, are considered the ideal candidates for robotic prostatectomy surgery. However, the following are the different criteria considered while recommending robotic surgery for prostate cancer:

• Early-stage, localized prostate cancer
• Overall health of the patient
• Suitable for those looking for a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment option that supports faster recovery.

However, robotic prostatectomy surgery may not be recommended in patients with advanced-stage prostate cancer. In some cases, it may also not be recommended in cases where patients have other underlying health conditions.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer

Apart from the ones discussed already, oncologists are using various other treatment techniques for oral cancer treatment, and they include frozen sections, LASER treatment, and robotics.

Enhanced Precision

Robotic technology allows surgeons to perform prostatectomy with millimeter precision. This precision, along with better visibility, helps the surgeon carefully identify, expose, and remove the cancerous tissue. The seven degree-freedom provided by the jointed robotic instruments improve dexterity, allowing the surgeon to seamlessly perform more complex and technically demanding surgeries, like prostatectomy. This enhanced precision translates to multiple benefits, like fewer treatment-related complications, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery.

Reduced Tissue Damage

The prostate gland is deeply located inside the pelvis. This gland is surrounded by vital structures like the venous complex, rectum, sphincter muscles responsible for urinary control, and nerves responsible for sexual functions. During traditional prostatectomy, it is challenging to differentiate the adjacent muscles, blood vessels, and veins that closely surround the prostate gland. If these structures are damaged during the surgery, the patient may suffer from urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Also, the anastomosis between the bladder and urethra is difficult to perform. However, during robotic prostatectomy, the surgeon has better control over the procedure, and the surgery is performed in such a way that the damage to the surrounding normal tissue is significantly reduced.

Reduced Blood Loss, Pain, and Scarring

The robotic surgical system allows the surgeon to perform more precise and less disruptive dissection, which helps reduce blood loss. The use of gas, which is inflated into the abdomen during surgery to create pressure and help provide surgeons with a better view, also minimizes blood loss. Since tiny incisions are made instead of one large incision, robotic prostatectomy also benefits patients with significantly less pain and scarring.

Less Risk of Infection

Robotic prostate removal benefits cancer patients with a reduced risk of infection, unlike open surgery. Different reasons that contribute to this reduced infection risk include smaller incisions, enhanced precision of the procedure, reduced exposure of the internal tissues to the external environment, and shorter hospital stays.

Shorter Stay in Hospital

By promoting faster recovery, reducing treatment-related complications, and supporting rapid mobilization, robotic prostatectomy helps patients avoid longer hospital stays. In most cases, the patients will be able to walk on the second or third day of the procedure.

Faster Recovery

In most cases of radical prostatectomy, the hospital stay does not last more than 1-2 days, regardless of age. This quick recovery is aided by smaller incisions and substantially less blood loss. The patients also experience reduced postoperative pain, and the need for pain medication is reduced too. We have multiple reports on robotic prostate removal having a strong track record in terms of continence too. Following surgery, some men experience instant bladder control. Most men, on the other hand, require weeks or months to regain full control of their bladders. Also, patients do not find much difficulty gradually regaining their sexual functions after robotic prostatectomy. During robotic prostate removal, surgeons may use nerve-sparing procedures to reduce the risk of impaired sexual functions.

Bottom Note

Robotic surgeries offer the much-needed precision and control that a surgeon will require while performing a prostate removal surgery for localized prostate cancers. In Western countries, about 90% of radical prostatectomies are performed through robotic surgery. Even in India, the numbers are picking up, and more and more cases of prostatectomy are being performed via robotics lately.

HCG is a leading hospital that offers the services of robotic surgery for prostate cancer in India. We are supported by a team of highly skilled robotic surgeons and modern technologies to deliver the best quality care for prostate cancer patients.

By benefiting the patient in terms of fewer treatment-related complications and faster recovery, robotic prostatectomy has changed the way early-stage prostate cancers are treated.

References

• Robotic Nerve-Sparing Radical Prostatectomy: https://urology.ufl.edu/patient-care/robotic-laparoscopic-urologic-surgery/procedures/robotic-nerve-sparing-radical-prostatectomy/
• Robotic Prostatectomy - A Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1480556/
• Robotic Prostatectomy: https://www.urologicspecialists.com/services-robotic-urologic-surgery.html
• What to know about robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/robotic-prostatectomy

Author Bio

Dr. Hemang Bakshi

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Urology)

Head of Department of Uro-oncology and Robotic Surgery,

HCG Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad