Frequently Asked Questions > Prostate Surgery > What is a robotic prostatectomy?
Dr. Mani Menon has answered some of the most common questions about prostatectomy and robot-assisted surgery. Click on any of the questions here or use the search tool below to get the answers you're after.
What Is a Robotic Prostatectomy
Robotic prostatectomy is a type of laparoscopic surgery. Dr. Mani Menon is the world's leading expert in this procedure.
Because the incisions are so small, only a few stitches are required. As a result there is minimal scarring and a more rapid recovery rate. Most patients have very little pain after the robotic procedure and can walk the evening of surgery. They usually go home within 24 hours and return to normal activity within two weeks.
To qualify for this surgery, patients must be a normal body weight and free of other significant health problems.
At the moment, the only surgical robot used for prostatectomy is the da Vinci robot. Dr. Menon feels the da Vinci robot offers exquisite precision and is totally dependable. Many patients wonder if the robot ever breaks down. While this happens rarely (1 in 700 operations), Dr. Menon has three back up robots and has never had to switch to an open surgery to complete the procedure.
Last updated on September 3, 2010 by Dr. Mani Menon