Other Robotic Procedures
Robotic surgery means smaller incisions, less scarring and faster healing. Dr. Mani Menon and the surgeons at the Vattikuti Urology Institute lead the global medical community with their innovative applications of robotic surgery. Beyond robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, Dr. Menon also performs the following procedures.
Robotic Surgery for the Bladder
Robotic Radical Cystectomy: Robotic surgery to remove the bladder for large tumors or disease.
Robotic Surgery for the Kidneys
Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove a kidney tumor while preserving the remaining kidney (also called renal-sparing surgery).
Robotic Radical Nephrectomy: Robotic surgery to remove the entire kidney due to large tumors or disease.
Robotic Pyeloplasty: Repair of a blockage in the area where the ureter attaches to the kidney.
Robotic Nephroureterectomy: Removal of the kidney and ureter due to a transitional cell carcinoma involving the kidney or ureter.
Robotic Pyelolithotomy: Removal of large kidney stones that cannot be treated by other methods.
Robotic Renal Cyst Decortication: Removal of kidney cysts that sometimes cause pain or high blood pressure.
The Retroperitoneal Approach
Dr. Menon and his team at the Vattikuti Urology Institute are among the only surgeons in the United States who routinely are using a retroperitoneal (behind the peritoneum) approach for robotic-assisted kidney surgery.
Dr. Menon believes this technically advanced approach offers significant advantages to the patient, including:
- Decreased risk of injury to bowel or other nearby organs
- Faster return of bowel function after surgery
- Reduced hospital stay (one day in healthy patients)
- Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication
- More rapid return to normal activity and work
This approach is ideal for patients who have had prior abdominal surgery. Many patients who are having their kidneys removed or partially removed often times have had other abdominal surgeries, leaving them with significant abdominal scarring. By using the retroperitoneal approach, patients still can have a robotic-assisted surgery. It also is an ideal approach for a partial nephrectomy for patients with a tumor on the back side of the kidney, which can be challenging to remove with an abdominal approach.
