If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend a prostatectomy. A prostatectomy is often a good option if the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the prostate. Your surgeon will remove your prostate to help reduce the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of your body.

Prostatectomies are fairly common procedures. And now, with advances in technology, there are even more options for men. One option is a robotic prostatectomy.

What Is a Robotic Prostatectomy?

Robotic prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical option. Historically, prostatectomies required large incisions and lengthy recoveries. Robotic prostatectomy performs the same procedure, but with a smaller incision, more precision and shorter recovery time.

Your surgeon controls and guides a robotic arm as it makes precise incisions and movements, reducing nerve damage and speeding recovery time. As with other procedures, an entire surgical care team is dedicated to your care during the surgery, including the surgeon, nurses, an anesthesiologist and other medical team members as needed. But the smaller incisions and more precise controls result in less trauma to the body, and therefore can mean less discomfort during recovery.

What Are the Benefits of a Robotic Prostatectomy?

As mentioned above, a robotic prostatectomy allows for smaller incisions and shorter recovery time. It may also reduce the risk of serious side effects, including incontinence and impotence. Men who have had a robotic prostatectomy are often able to go home sooner, within about 24 hours of the procedure, depending on their medical history and surgical outcomes.

Altogether, the benefits of a robotic prostatectomy include:

• Less blood loss
• Reduced pain
• Quicker recovery time
• Smaller incision
• Fewer side effects

If you have a question about robotic prostatectomy or need to schedule a prostate cancer screening, call Tanner’s free, 24-hour physician referral line at 770.214.CARE (2273) or select “Find a Provider” at tanner.org.

West Georgia Urology has locations in Bremen, Carrollton, Villa Rica and Wedowee. For more information, visit wgurology.com or call 770-834-6988.