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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 urological, gynecological, and cardiothoracic procedures.

Urological Procedures

The first surgery that used robotics technology was prostatectomy. Today, specially trained urological surgeons use robotic-assisted surgery for a number of additional procedures, 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 malignancy 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/treatment_comparison.aspx

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

Cardiothoracic Procedures

Recently, MultiCare has begun expanding the use of robotics technology into cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiothoracic procedures performed at MultiCare using robotic-assisted surgery include:

• Thorascopic lobectomy—lung tumor removal
• Pericardial window—draining fluid that has accumulated around the heart.