The Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) Department of Urology offers a new procedure using the new daVinci® Surgical System for prostate cancer patients.

This daVinci System, which was developed by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., in Sunnyvale, allows surgeons to perform minimally-invasive (laparoscopic) surgery with increased precision, dexterity and control.

This state-of-the-art robotic technology allows for superior visualization through a three-dimensional image and 10x magnification. In addition, the robotic instruments are able to flex and rotate to mimic the normal movements of the human wrist. This allows for more precise movements than with standard laparoscopic instruments.

Although traditional open surgery is still the most common surgical treatment for prostate cancer, robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy offers some definite advantages, including a decrease in the loss of blood, length of stay at the hospital and urinary catheterization time, as well as a quicker return to normal activity.

Early studies have shown equivalent short-term cancer control rates when compared to open radical prostatectomy. Potency (ability to obtain erections) and continence (ability to control urination) rates also appear quite similar based on early studies. However, long-term results have not yet been established.

If you are interested in learning more about robotic radical prostatectomy with the daVinci System, please contact PAMF's Department of Urology at 650-853-2988.