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  • What is Robotic-Assisted Surgery?
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Robotic Procedures

Robotic-assisted surgery was originally used almost exclusively for:

• Prostatectomy — prostate removal surgery 
• Hysterectomy — surgical removal of the uterus

Surgeons soon expanded their use of the robot to other surgeries, and today robotic-assisted surgery is commonly used for a wide range of minimally invasive surgeries such as urological, gynecological and cardiothoracic procedures.

Urological Procedures

A prostatecomy was the first surgery that used robotics technology. Today, specially trained urological surgeons use robotic-assisted surgery for a number of additional procedures. MultiCare's highly qualified and trained surgeons use robotic-assisted surgery for a number of minimally invasive surgeries, including:

• Lymph node dissections—for cancer evaluation
• Pyeloplasty—kindey reconstruction for blockage
• Pyelotomy—partial kidney removal
• Bladder repair or fistula excision
• Partial nephrectomy—removing only the cancerous tissue and leaving the healthy kidney
• Cystectomy —bladder removal for invasive bladder cancer

When it comes to urinary  and sexual function, the advantages of a robotic-assisted treatment for prostate cancer compared to open surgery are dramatic:

	Robotic  Prostatectomy	Traditional  Prostatectomy
Urinary Function
3 months	92.9%	54%
6 months	94.9%	80%
12 months	97.4%	93%
Sexual Function
12 months	86%	71%

Source: http://davinciprostatectomy.com/treatment-options/

Gynecological Procedures

Gynecological surgeons first began using robot-assisted surgery for minimally invasive hysterectomies. Now, robotic-assisted surgery is often used for a range of gynecological surgeries, including:

• Ovarian cyst treatment
• Ectopic pregnancy treatment
• Oopherectomy—ovary removal
• Adhesiolysis—release of scar tissue to treat pelvic pain
• Myomectomy—fibroid tumors removal
• Pelvic lymphadenectomy—for cancer
• Retroperitoneal procedures— for tumors and endometriosis
• Presacral neurectomy—Nerve transection in the pelvis for intractable pelvic pain
• Sacrocolpopexy—for complete vaginal prolapse
• Burch procedures—Bladder neck suspension for incontinence
• Stage 4 endometriosis

The advantages of robotic-assisted hysterectomy are dramatic when compared to traditional open hysterectomy.

	Robotic  Hysterectomy	Traditional  Hysterectomy
Hospital Stay	1 day	3-6 days
Recovery Time	2-3 weeks	6-8 weeks
Incision	3-5 tiny incisions	Single 6-12" incision

MultiCare Health System has nationally recognized and highly talented surgeons who are experts in using robotic-assisted surgery for urological and gynecological procedures. Using high-tech equipment, such as MultiCare’s Cyberknife system and the da Vinci® Surgical System, our surgeons are highly skilled in the field of robotic-assisted surgeries.

If you would like more information on robotic-assisted surgery at MultiCare Health System, please call 888-871-1088.