I am Dr. Rohan Patel , a dedicated Robotic Surgeon, UroOncologist at Apollo Hospital, Ahmedabad, India. In this blog, you will learn the techniques of roadical prostatectomy, robotic and open and the impact that robotic surgery has had on improving the outcomes of radical prostatectomy in patients of prostate cancer. You will also get to know the difference in oncological, functional and cosmetic outcomes in robotic and open prostatectomy and why Robotic Prostatectomy is increasingly becoming the preferred choice for patients.
Undergoing any surgical procedure can be a daunting experience, and it is natural to have questions about what to expect. Here's my detailed first hand insight of the difference in my patients experience and outcomes undergoing robotic surgery vs open surgery :
1. Incisions and Scarring
-
Robotic Surgery : Tiny incisions are made, typically ranging from 0.5 to 1
centimeter,
resulting in minimal scarring and reduced discomfort.
Open Surgery: A single
large
incision is made, which lead to more noticeable scarring and a longer healing process.
2. Pain and Discomfort -
Robotic Surgery: Patients often experience less postoperative pain and
discomfort due
to the smaller incisions and reduced tissue trauma. Patients were able to walk around
within 6
hrs of surgery.
Open Surgery: The larger incision in open surgery often lead to
more
significant pain and a longer recovery period.
3. Recovery Time -
Robotic Surgery: Patients usually experienced a faster recovery and resumed their normal
activities, including work and light exercises, within a week.
Open Surgery:
Recovery
time in open surgery took several weeks to months before patients could return to their
routine
activities.
4. Hospital Stay -
Robotic Surgery: The shorter hospital stay was a significant advantage of robotic
surgery, with
most patients being discharged within a day or two after the procedure.
Open
Surgery:
Open surgery typically required a longer hospital stay, ranging from several days to a
week.
5. Complications and
Risks -
Robotic Surgery: The HD and magnified(10X), 3 Dimensional image, provided us
with a
never before vision of the prostate . Combined with the 7 degrees of freedom of movement
of
Robotic Instruments we could remove the cancer with great precision along with
minimising
complications. The biggest benefit has been improved early Urinary Continence rates even
in
elderly patients. Thereby reducing the need to wear diapers for prolonged periods. Also
minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery contributed to fewer wound and bowel
complications
and a lower risk of postoperative infections.
Open Surgery: Open surgery had a
slightly
higher rate of complications due to the trauma of larger incision and more significant
tissue
manipulation.
As a patient-centric surgeon, I could witness the significant difference in not only the Oncological Outcomes but also the Functional Outcomes of the patients first hand. Which cemented my decision to shift from Open to Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer.
I understand that the decision to undergo surgery can be challenging. My team and I are here to support and guide you through every step of your journey. Together, we will carefully evaluate your condition, discuss the best treatment options, and address any concerns you may have.
Robotic surgery has truly transformed the landscape of radical prostatectomy, offering improved outcomes and enhanced patient experiences. For those seeking robotic prostatectomy in Ahmedabad, this advanced technique provides precision and quicker recovery times. If you or a loved one is facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, I encourage you to consider the benefits of robotic surgery and reach out to our team for a comprehensive consultation.
Your well-being is at the heart of our practice, and we are committed to providing you with the highest quality care.
Dr. Rohan Patel
Consultant Uro-Oncologist, Urologist & Robotic Surgeon
Specialist in Robotic Uro-Oncology & Urology Surgery