Robotic surgery for prostate cancer has made a large influence on prostate cancer treatment during the last decade. Though this type of robotic surgical technology was developed first by the United States military to be used on the battlefield, it has recently been applied to the regular medical setting; most notably it is used in the treatment of prostate cancer. The very first robotic surgery for prostate cancer took place in 2001 and now it is the most recommended treatment among American men suffering from prostate cancer. In 2009, 86,000 men in the United States had prostate cancer and an astounding 86 percent had robotic surgery.
Though the number suggests there is a robot involved, it is actually not true. The robotic prostatectomy is actually performed by a surgeon using the robotic system. It has four arms and is connected to a console the surgeon operates. One arm holds a very small magnification camera and the other three arms hold various surgical instruments. The instruments are inserted via small incisions in the abdomen approximately seven millimeters wide.
The robotic arms are able to rotate 360 degrees. This provides the surgeon with the opportunity to fully manipulate the instruments with full range of motion and flexibility. These arms rotate much in the same manner as a human wrist. Using hand movements and foot pedals, the surgeon is able to control the robot. This machine provides surgeons with a much higher degree of precision. It also removes the possibility of hand tremors and other slip ups.
The surgeon is guided using a three dimensional display of the area. By working with three dimensional images, surgeons are afforded a new perception of depth that they cannot achieve with normal laparoscopic surgery. It offers more precision and makes up for any visual feedback. These pictures offer surgeons the clarity they need to use the robotic system properly. This clarity is extremely important as it can assist in minimizing any unnecessary damage to muscles and nerve bundles along the prostate. Avoiding unnecessary damage means reducing the possible risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. These are two of the major side effects of regular prostate cancer that the robotic surgery looks to especially minimize. Read the rest of this entry »