Urological
Procedures Currently Performed Using Robotic Surgery at MidMichigan Medical
Center–Midland
Open surgery has been the
traditional approach to urologic procedures because they require complex moves
in tight surroundings. But now, with the da Vinci robotic surgery system,
surgeons have a better tool to preserve delicate nerves that affect urinary control
and sexual function. Da Vinci robotic surgery also reduces pain and blood loss,
shortens recovery times and enables faster return to everyday activities.
Da Vinci Robotic Procedures Offered at MidMichigan Health
Currently, the urological surgeries listed below can be performed robotically at
MidMichigan Medical Center–Midland:
- Partial
and Radical Nephrectomy. Partial nephrectomy is surgery to
remove only diseased or injured portions of a kidney. It is used to treat
such conditions as blockage of ureters or kidney cancer. Radical
nephrectomy is surgical removal of an entire kidney and a segment of the
tube that connects to the bladder. Open surgery is the traditional
approach to kidney procedures. Laparoscopy is also used, but the da Vinci
Surgical System allows more precision for delicate or complex operations. In
certain cancer operations, da Vinci robotic surgery may offer more potential
for preserving the kidney.1
- Prostatectomy (removal of
the cancerous prostate gland and related structures). Compared to
radiation treatments, surgery has a higher and longer survival rate and a
lower risk of long-term complications.2 Da Vinci surgery is the
number one choice in the United States for this procedure.3
Potential benefits include effective cancer control, less complications,
improved and early return of sexual function, and improved and early
return of urinary continence.
- Pyeloplasty, surgery
for a urinary obstruction, removes the blockage and reattaches the ureter
(the tube that moves urine from the kidneys to the bladder) to a healthy
part of the kidney. The precision of da Vinci surgery is ideal for this
delicate procedure.
Some content provided by Intuitive
Surgical.
As with any surgery,
these benefits cannot be guaranteed. Only your doctor can determine whether
surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System is appropriate for your situation.
For more information
about robotic surgery at MidMichigan Medical Center–Midland, ask your doctor.
For a physician referral, visit www.midmichigan.org/doctors or
call MidMichigan Health Line at (989) 837-9090 in Midland or toll-free at (800)
999-3199.
1Bhayani SB, Das N., Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for suspected renal cell carcinoma. BMC Surgery 2008, 8:16 doi:10.1186/1471-2482-8-16.
2Davinciprostatectomy.com, Treatment comparison and key comparative studies.
3Davinciprostatectomy.com. Claim based on 2007 data on file.
