Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery at El Camino Urology Medical Group
When medications are no longer useful to relieve symptoms, surgery is the accepted treatment for a broad range of conditions that affect the male reproductive organs and the organs of the urinary tract. These conditions include, but are not limited to,adrenal tumors, kidney stones, urinary dysfunction, incontinence, prostate cancer, ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, bladder and kidney cancer.
Facing any kind of urologic surgery creates a great deal of anxiety for most men. Among your concerns is: Will my body function normally following surgery? Traditional open urologic surgery in which large incisions are made to access the pelvic organs has been the standard approach when surgery is warranted. Yet common drawbacks of this procedure include significant post-surgical pain, a lengthy recovery and an unpredictable, potentially long-term impact on continence and sexual function.
Fortunately, less invasive surgical options are available to many patients facing urologic surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may require only a few incisions or none at all. This means patients have less pain, faster recovery, and fewer complications. A large number of urologic surgeries can now be performed in a minimally invasive fashion using endoscopes small instruments with cameras or laparoscopes small key-hole incisions in the skin. While laparoscopy can be very effective for many routine procedures, limitations of this technology prevent its use for more complex urologic surgeries.
A new category of surgery, introduced with the development of the da Vinci® Surgical System, is being used by an increasing number of surgeons worldwide for prostatectomy and other urologic procedures. This minimally invasive approach, utilizing the latest in surgical and robotics technologies, is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. This includes prostatectomy, in which the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function; and pyeloplasty, in which diseased ureter is excised and sewn back together. Using da Vinci, your surgeon has a better tool to spare surrounding nerves and tissues, which may enhance both your recovery experience and clinical outcomes.
Minimally invasive endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted urologic procedures can be performed with the following urologic conditions:
While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.