da Vinci Robotic Surgery

Robotic Surgery Specialist

An Overview of da Vinci Robotic Surgery

Great leaps forward in medical technology have made numerous things possible like minimally invasive surgery. Traditionally, surgery would often require a lengthy hospital stay followed by weeks of recovery and pain. Today, minimally invasive surgical procedures in urology, such as robotic prostatectomy, and many other specialties are performed through small incisions instead of the large incisions needed for traditional surgeries. By using minimally invasive surgery for surgical treatments, such as radical prostate removal (radical prostatectomy), patients typically experience less trauma and pain, minimal scarring, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. The goal of minimally invasive surgery is to accomplish all necessary internal repairs while leaving the body and surface of organ tissues, including the skin, as natural as it was before surgery. With the help of da Vinci robotic surgery, Dr. Mark Allen, Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area urologist, can return patients to normal activities with less downtime and less pain.

Surgical procedures performed using the non-invasive da Vinci Surgical System provide numerous benefits to the patient such as less risk of infection, less anesthesia, less pain and scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities.

There has been an even greater leap forward in medical technology in the creation of the da Vinci Surgical System. da Vinci robotic surgery allows the surgeon to perform further minimal invasive surgery by using a robotic-assisted technique.   Robotic surgery using the da Vinci System dramatically enhances visualization, precision, control and dexterity and overcomes the limitations of traditional laparoscopic technology, helping physicians to perform complex surgery in a manner never before experienced.

What to Expect from Minimally Invasive da Vinci Robotic Surgery

The da Vinci System is a sophisticated robotic platform that offers a minimally invasive option for major surgery.  Urologists such as Dr. Allen use this system to perform radical prostate removal (radical prostatectomy) in cancer patients, as well as other urologic surgeries. The da Vinci Surgical System cannot be programmed nor make decisions on its own. The system is controlled by a skilled and trained surgeon and every surgical maneuver is performed by direct input from that surgeon.

Like with laparoscopic surgery, with da Vinci robotic surgery, tiny incisions are used instead of the traditional large incision. These tiny incisions (1-2 cm) allow miniaturized wristed instruments (EndoWrist) and a high-definition 3D camera into the body cavity. Your surgeon will be seated comfortably at the da Vinci console while viewing live, magnified, high-resolution 3D images of the body’s interior. Simultaneously, state-of-the-art robotic and computer technologies scale, filter, and seamlessly translate your surgeon’s hand movements into precise micro-movements. This is the only technology available in the medical field with the precision, dexterity and control of traditional open surgery, while only requiring dime-sized incisions.

By extending the surgeon’s capabilities and surgical talents, robotic surgery performed with the da Vinci Surgical System has these added benefits:

• Enhanced 3D view of the operating area
• Reproducibility
• Improved access
• Increased range of motion
• Improved dexterity
• Greater surgical precision

Numerous benefits of da Vinci robotic surgery include:

• Less anesthesia
• Less blood loss
• Less risk of infection
• Reduced trauma to the patient
• Shorter hospital stay (reduced hospitalization costs)
• Less pain following the operation
• Faster and more complete recovery
• Less scarring
• Quicker return to normal daily activities

It is important to know that da Vinci robotic surgery does not place a robot at the controls; your surgeon is controlling every aspect of the surgery with the assistance of the da Vinci robotic platform. The da Vinci cannot perform surgery by itself; it is merely another tool the surgeon uses to create the best and most successful surgical experience possible.

Is Robotic Surgery Safe for Prostate Removal?

When considering surgical treatment options, patients often have concerns about safety. When specifically considering robotic surgery for prostate removal and other procedures, some patients wonder if da Vinci Surgery is as safe as traditional surgery.

Actually, minimally invasive robotic procedures performed with the da Vinci System can be considered safer than traditional surgery because it offers multiple, redundant safety features making it the most effective, least invasive surgery possible. During the course of an operation, the da Vinci System will perform millions of safety self checks. The da Vinci System is so safe and precise that it has been used successfully in tens of thousands of minimally invasive surgeries worldwide.  The ability to perform robotic surgery has significantly impacted the surgical capabilities of urologists and gynecologists in particular.

The da Vinci System cannot be programmed nor can it be controlled or make decisions on its own. Every surgical maneuver is performed with the direct input from Dr. Allen who is just a few feet away using the console controls. The da Vinci Surgical System senses, scales, filters, and translates his wrist and finger movements to create a precise movement with the miniaturized instruments. The tremor reduction feature even minimizes unintended movements. Therefore, da Vinci robotic surgery is even more precise than Dr. Allen’s own hand!

Consultation with Dr. Mark Allen

The information provided on this website is not intended to be a substitute for a thorough discussion with Dr. Allen about whether robotic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System is right for you. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure and individual results may vary.   Robotic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. If you are a patient, consult with Dr. Allen about treatment options that may be appropriate for your medical condition.

To learn more about da Vinci robotic surgery for prostate removal, please contact the practice of Dr. Mark Allen, urologist serving the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area.