Robotic-Assisted Urological Surgery

Robotic surgery is a leading-edge type of minimally invasive surgery performed using very small surgical tools attached to a robotic arm. Despite the name, the robot does not perform the surgery. Your surgeon controls the robotic arm with a console. The robotic arm matches your surgeon’s hand movements as he or she performs your procedure.

Instead of traditional open surgery, robotic surgical procedures allow the surgeon to operate inside of your body, using a small camera called an endoscope. The incisions your surgeon makes to perform robotic surgery are very small, which often means a faster recovery time, less post-operative pain and lower risk of infection.

Robotic Procedures We Offer

Our urologists can perform the following procedures using robotic-assisted surgery:

• Pyeloplasty — This procedure removes blockages and/or scar tissue from the space where part of your kidney attaches to one of the tubes to your bladder, also called the ureteropelvic junction. These blockages prevent urine from leaving your kidneys, and pyeloplasty allows urine to flow naturally again. It can also help prevent kidney damage.
• Robotic cystectomy — This procedure removes part or all of your bladder and may be used to treat cancer.
• Robotic partial nephrectomy — A type of kidney removal, this procedure may be done as part of a treatment plan for kidney cancer, or it may be used to remove part of your kidney that has been damaged by a kidney stone or infection.
• Robotic prostatectomy — This is typically done for men with prostate cancer who need to have their prostates removed.
• Ureteral reimplantation — This procedure prevents reflux, which occurs when urine flows from the bladder to the kidneys. Left untreated, the backward flow of urine can cause urinary tract infections and kidney damage. 

What to Expect During Robotic Surgery

Preparation for robotic surgery is similar to other surgery forms. You will not be able to eat or drink anything for eight hours before your procedure, and depending on your procedure, you may need to take additional medications beforehand, as instructed by your surgeon.

During your surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia. While you are asleep, your surgeon will be at a computer station, directing the movements of the robotic arm.

After your surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room. The length of your stay will depend on your procedure, but robotic surgery can often reduce recovery time.

Why Choose MultiCare?

MultiCare Urology was the first health system in the community to use robotic-assisted surgery for urological procedures. Since MultiCare first introduced the technology to the area in 2005, urologists have performed over 1,000 robotic-assisted surgeries. Our experienced providers perform precise and effective procedures, while making surgery and recovery easier for you.