da Vinci Prostatectomy
Between 2000 and 2001, Dr. Mani Menon reinvented the standard radical prostatectomy procedure to take advantage of the features of the da Vinci™ robot. Since then, he has been at the forefront of this technology, training thousands of other surgeons. Dr. Menon's team has more experience with the da Vinci prostatectomy than any other surgical team in the world. His own highly specialized da Vinci prostatectomy technique, the Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP), has unparalleled results.
With the state-of-the-art da Vinci system, the surgeon uses a three dimensional computer vision system to manipulate robotic arms. These robotic arms hold special surgical instruments that are inserted into the abdomen through tiny incisions. A laparoscope - a long, thin, lighted telescope - is inserted through one incision and connected to the computer monitor that allows the surgeon to see inside the body. The 3-D view helps the surgeon more easily find and preserve the delicate nerves and muscles that surround the prostate. The robotic arms can rotate a full 360 degrees. This allows the surgeon to manipulate surgical instruments with greater precision and flexibility. The surgeon performs the same nerve-sparing procedure done in a conventional laparoscopic, or open prostatectomy, but with greater precision. The prostate, nearby lymph nodes, seminal vesicles and adjacent tissue are removed through the small incisions, which are closed with a few stitches.
With da Vinci technology, surgeons manipulate their instruments with greater precision which generally means patients will have a speedier recovery. Most patients experience less pain, blood loss, and fewer side effects than they would with other prostatectomy methods, and may return home within 24 hours of the surgery.
