Urology

Services & Technology

Robot-Assisted Prostate Surgery

Boston Medical Center was the first hospital in Massachusetts to perform robot-assisted surgery to treat prostate cancer, and has successfully completed the highest number of these procedures in the state with consistently excellent outcomes. The keys to this success are Drs. Babayan and Wang, highly trained urologists who are specialists in this precise, minimally invasive procedure. Their expertise, coupled with the state-of-the-art daVinci Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical, has dramatically changed the way patients can expect to recover from surgery.

Patient benefits may include:

• Reduced body trauma and pain
• Reduced blood loss and/or need for blood transfusions
• Reduced post-operative pain and/or discomfort
• Reduced hospital stay
• Excellent maintenance of continence and erectile function

The daVinci Robotic Surgical System allows our surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive procedures using a set of small incisions rather than a large incision. Thus, for example, a radical prostatectomy that in the past required a standard incision can now be performed with minor incision, greatly improving recovery time and patient comfort. Reports of cancer control, urinary control and sexual function following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy are comparable to those following traditional open prostatectomy.

The 3-D stereoscopic view provided by the daVinci Surgical System allows our surgeons to more easily to identify vital anatomy (i.e. delicate nerves and blood vessels) while performing precise surgical dissections, and removing specific tissues. The robot's EndoWrist Instruments provide our surgeons with enhanced dexterity that is not always available using conventional laparoscopic or open procedure instruments.

The daVinci Surgical System allows for a minimally invasive alternative surgical procedure to open radical prostate surgery. The daVinci System is the only operative robotic system cleared for the radical prostatectomy procedure. The daVinci Surgical System is the first operative surgical robot deemed safe and effective by the United States Food and Drug Administration for performing robotic surgery.

For further information or to schedule a consultation please contact Deb Clauson at 617.638.2300 or email us at prostate@bmc.org.