MelbourneROBOTICPROSTATECTOMY
Introduction
This website provides information on prostate cancer and its treatment by daVinci robotic prostatectomy. Please note that this information is of a general nature, and each man with prostate cancer needs to be assessed individually regarding appropriate treatment.
If you wish to obtain advice from Dr Sengupta, please contact his office for an appointment (you will need a referral from your general practitioner, and previous medical details, including PSA tests and prostate biopsy results).
Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate is the commonest internal cancer, and the second commonest cause of cancer deaths among men. It becomes increasingly more common with age, being very rare among men aged below 50, and almost universal in men aged in their eighties and nineties.
read moreDr Shomik Sengupta
Dr Sengupta is a urologist practising in Melbourne, Australia, with a specific interest in urologic oncology (i.e.the treatment of cancer of the prostate, bladder and kidney)
read moreRobotic Prostatectomy
The daVinci® robotic surgery system, introduced in 1999, is currently used for an increasing number of radical prostatectomies. Robotic technology allows surgery to be carried out through keyhole incisions, but provides improved vision and more dextrous instruments compared to conventional laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Therefore, robotic surgery affords the potential for more precise surgical dissection, in addition to the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in terms of reduced blood loss and transfusions, reduced post-operative pain, shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery.
The daVinci® robot consists of the surgeon's console, the surgical cart and connections between the two.
The surgical cart is located beside the patient, and utilises one robotic arm to control the endoscope (which provides stereoscopic or 3-D vision) and two or three robotic arms to control surgical instruments. The surgical instruments are designed with jointed wrists, which provide freedom of movement in multiple directions (7 degrees of freedom).
read more