Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

FAQs: Robotic Radical Prostatectomy

General Questions

1. Does the robot perform the surgery on its own? No. The robot is a tool that is 100% under the control of the surgeon at all times. It cannot think or act on its own. Your surgeon sits at a console in the operating room and controls the robotic instruments, which mimic the movements of the human hand but with greater precision, range of motion, and stability.

2. Why is robotic surgery better than traditional "open" surgery? Robotic surgery offers several significant advantages over open surgery (which requires a large incision), including:

Significantly less blood loss (reducing the need for transfusions).

Less post-operative pain.

Shorter hospital stay (usually 1-2 days).

Faster return to normal daily activities.

Better visualization for the surgeon, which helps in preserving the nerves responsible for erections and urinary control.

3. Am I a candidate for robotic prostatectomy? Most men with localized prostate cancer (cancer that hasn't spread to other parts of the body) are candidates. However, your suitability depends on your specific medical history, prior surgeries, and the stage of your cancer. A consultation is necessary to confirm if this is the best option for you.

The Procedure & Recovery

4. How long does the surgery take? The procedure typically takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the case and the size of the prostate.

5. How long will I stay in the hospital? Most patients are discharged within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. You will be encouraged to walk on the evening of your surgery to aid recovery.

6. Will I have a lot of pain? Because the incisions are small, most patients experience only mild to moderate discomfort rather than severe pain. This is usually easily managed with oral pain medication for a few days.

7. When can I return to work?

Desk jobs: Most men return to work in 2 to 3 weeks.

Physical jobs: If your job involves heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you may need to wait 4 to 6 weeks to allow the internal healing to complete.

Life After Surgery (Side Effects)

8. Will I need a urinary catheter? Yes. A catheter (a tube that drains urine from the bladder) is required to allow the connection between the bladder and urethra to heal. It is typically removed 7 to 10 days after surgery in the clinic. The removal is quick and generally not painful.

9. Will I have urinary leakage (incontinence) after the catheter is removed? Some degree of urinary leakage is common immediately after the catheter is removed. This is usually temporary. Most men regain control within a few weeks to a few months. Performing Kegel exercises (pelvic floor muscle training) before and after surgery significantly speeds up this process.

10. Will I be able to have erections after surgery? This depends on your age, your sexual function before surgery, and whether "nerve-sparing" was possible.

Nerve-Sparing: The nerves that control erections run along the surface of the prostate. If your cancer is contained, we use the robot's precision to carefully peel these nerves away from the prostate to save them.

Recovery: Return of erectile function can take time (from months up to a year or more) as the nerves heal. Medications (like Viagra or Cialis) are often used during recovery to help restore function (penile rehabilitation).

11. What happens to my PSA level after surgery? Since the prostate produces PSA, your PSA level should drop to "undetectable" levels (usually <0.1 or <0.2 ng/mL) after surgery. We will check your PSA periodically (usually every 3-6 months) to ensure the cancer has not returned.