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Who Is a Candidate for Robotic Prostate Surgery?

Robotic devices for prostate surgery let surgeons perform complex procedures with expanded movement, 3-D visualization and a better view of the operative field than with traditional methods. Robotic surgery causes less trauma to the surgical site, resulting in faster patient recovery. Some patients are better-suited for the procedure.

  1. Extent of Disease

    • The prostate cancer must be clinically localized; that is, confined to the prostate gland. It cannot have spread to the lymph nodes and other organs.

    Previous Abdominal Surgery

    • A history of surgeries on the abdominal region, such as appendectomy, hernia or gall bladder procedures, doesn't preclude the use of robotic method for prostate surgery.

    Exclusionary Neurological Factors

    • Patients who have had a stroke or cerebral aneurysm likely aren't candidates for robotic prostate surgery, as the surgical table is titled head-first at a 45° angle for the one- to three-hour procedure.

    Exclusionary Cardiac and Pulmonary Factors

    • The following cardiac and pulmonary disorders are among those that exclude patients from robotic prostate surgery: class II–IV angina, class II–IV congestive heart failure, severe restrictive lung disease, asthma or cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease and any condition requiring supplemental oxygen.

    Miscellaneous Contraindicating Factors

    • Other factors include severe glaucoma, hip disease or disorder that's not compatible with the surgical position, and obesity with a BMI of 40 or greater.

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