Return to Robotic Prostatectomy Description
| Type of Surgery | Open | Laparoscopic | Robotic |
| Blood Loss | Oozing of blood from low pressure veins continues throughout the case. The longer the surgery, the more the blood loss. 1000 – 2000 cc is typical | Surgery is performed inside the pressurized abdomen. Bleeding from small vessels is stopped by this pressure, allowing the vessels to clot off. 50 cc – 400 cc is typical. | Surgery is performed inside the pressurized abdomen. Bleeding from small vessels is stopped by this pressure, allowing the vessels to clot off. 50 cc – 400 cc is typical |
| Size of incisions | A lower midline vertical incision 8 – 14 cm (the human hand is 8-12 cm across and thus blocks the surgeons view when working) | 5 small incisions 0.5 – 0.8 cm through which instruments are passed inside the body. One incision is enlarged to 1.5 cm at the end to remove the prostate | 5 small incisions 0.5 – 0.8 cm through which instruments are passed inside the body. One incision is enlarged to 1.5 cm at the end to remove the prostate |
| Avg Hospital Stay | 4 days | 1 day | 1 day |
| Lymph node Sampling | Full Sampling when indicated | Full Sampling when indicated | Full Sampling when indicated |
| Bladder/Urethra Reconstruction | 4 – 6 interrupted sutures, tied blindly | Stitching along full length of the bladder.Accuracy of placement and tying hindered by difficulty of sewing at the end of sticks | Stitching along full length of the bladder. The DaVinci Robot enables the surgeon to sew in a natural manner as if the bladder was not in a deep hole or at the end of laparoscopic instruments |
| Dissection | Tactile sense good, visualization hindered by blood loss.Good dexterity of surgeons hand, but only one hand can fit in the incision. 6 degrees of motion, tight space limits range of motion | Tactile sense less than open. Skilled laparoscopic surgeons replace this with visual feedback based on the properties of the tissue. Two hands, 4 degrees of motion. Small instrument size allows greater range of motion | Tactile sense less than open. Skilled laparoscopic surgeons replace this with visual feedback based on the properties of the tissue. Two hands, 6 degrees of motion. Small instrument size allows greater range of motion |
| Post-Op Pain | Moderate | Minimal | Minimal |