Robotic Surgery
Robotic Surgery at Mount Sinai for Urological Conditions
At Mount Sinai, we have fellowship-trained and highly skilled robotic urologic surgeons experienced in performing robotic procedures. We use robotic surgery to treat a variety of male and female urological conditions:
- Bladder Diseases
- Enlarged Prostate
- Kidney Cancer
- Kidney Obstructions
- Prostate Cancer
- Prostatitis
- Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction
- Urinary incontinence
- Vesicoureteral reflux
What Is Robotic Surgery?
Surgeons use a high-resolution camera that gives a three-dimensional view and tiny surgical instruments, which provide precision and dexterity, all through small incisions. This makes the entire process quick, and less painful than conventional surgery, with reduced risk of complications.
Why Robotic Surgery?
At Mount Sinai, our goal is to deliver superior outcomes with less pain, a faster recovery time, and fewer complications for our patients. For this purpose, we use the latest da Vinci Xi surgical robot, which uses tiny instruments and high-definition viewing capabilities to assist doctors performing complex operations.
Benefits of Robotic Surgery
- Less blood loss and reduced need for blood transfusions
- Smaller incisions and less scarring
- Less pain and need for pain medication
- Fewer complications
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster healing and recovery times
- Better outcomes
Our Approach
At Mount Sinai, our specially trained, highly experienced urologic surgeons utilize state-of-the-art technology, advanced techniques, and finely-tuned equipment to deliver cutting-edge care focusing on the health and overall well-being of patients. Moreover, our outstanding team of practitioners, nurses, and technology operators ensure patients receive best-in-class care every time.
Robotic Adrenalectomy
Adrenal glands are glands that sit on top of each kidney. These glands produce hormones like cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline, which serve several vital functions in the body. With robotic adrenalectomy, your Mount Sinai urologist uses robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery to remove the adrenal gland if it is infected, has cancer, or is not functioning properly.
What to Expect from Robotic Adrenalectomy
Our urological surgeons usually perform adrenalectomy to remove a hyperfunctioning tumor that might produce an excess of these hormones or remove cancer that has developed in the adrenal glands.
Because the adrenal gland is located near several vital organs (kidney, liver, spleen, and pancreas), surgery to remove the adrenal gland is complex. Robotic surgery provides our surgeons with the precision required to safely remove the adrenal gland while minimizing the likelihood of injury to surrounding organs. Our skilled, experienced surgeons perform robotic adrenalectomy using four or five small incisions.
Recovery
At Mount Sinai, we usually discharge patients from the hospital within 24 hours of surgery. However, complete recovery takes several weeks.
Benefits
Robotic adrenalectomy is a minimally invasive procedure, so there is less blood loss, less pain, and less risk of infection.
Robotic Bladder Surgery/Robotic Cystectomy
Robotic cystectomy is robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery to remove the bladder and surrounding pelvic organs to treat advanced or high-grade cancer in the bladder.
What to Expect During the Surgery
Male patients typically require the removal of the entire bladder, prostate, and surrounding lymph nodes. Female patients usually require removing the whole bladder, uterus, and occasionally a portion of the vaginal wall and surrounding lymph nodes. After bladder removal, our surgeons create a new bladder using a segment of the patient’s bowel (neobladder) or create a passageway that drains urine from the kidneys through an opening in the abdomen and an external bag (urostomy).
Recovery
Patients need hospitalization for five to seven days following this surgical procedure. During this time, our surgeons recommend pain control medications and encourage patients to walk to promote a speedy recovery and healing.
Benefits
Robotic cystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery requiring a shorter recovery time. There is less loss of blood, less pain, and minimal scarring after recovery.
Robotic Nephroureterectomy
Robotic nephroureterectomy is robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery to remove the entire kidney, ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidneys into the bladder), and a portion of the bladder to treat transitional cell cancer involving the kidney, the ureter, or both organs. Our surgeons perform the entire operation using five small incisions.
Recovery
Following this procedure, most patients require hospitalization. We encourage them to walk to promote blood flow, circulation, and restoration of normal function. We discharge most patients from the hospital one to two days after surgery.
Benefits
This surgery provides a minimally invasive and safe technique to remove regional lymph nodes, affected tumors, ureter, and kidneys altogether.
Robotic Kidney Surgery: Robotic Partial and Radical Nephrectomy
At Mount Sinai, robotic partial and radical nephrectomy is the most common application of robotic kidney surgery to manage kidney tumors. Our surgeons can treat most kidney tumors with partial nephrectomy (surgery to remove only the tumor and spare the rest of the kidney). Sparing the kidney lowers the chance of long-term kidney failure and the need for future dialysis.
Our highly skilled and experienced surgeons are among the few in the world with expertise in partial retroperitoneal nephrectomy. In this specialized procedure, our surgeons perform the partial nephrectomy without accessing the abdominal cavity.
What to Expect During Robotic Partial and Radical Nephrectomy
Partial nephrectomy is a complex operation that requires stitching the kidney back together once our surgeon removes the tumor. Depending upon the size and location, some tumors require removing the entire kidney through an operation called a radical nephrectomy, which our surgeons can perform with robotic surgery. Robotic assistance provides the precision and dexterity needed to perform each surgery for even very complex tumors safely. Our experienced surgeons usually access the kidney through the abdomen with five or six small incisions for partial nephrectomy.
Recovery
Following this procedure, most patients need hospitalization overnight and can begin walking the next day. We discharge most patients from the hospital one to two days after surgery.
Benefits
The robotic partial and radical nephrectomy uses tiny incisions, which significantly reduce pain, decrease the recovery period, and minimize scarring.
Robotic Prostate Surgery: Radical Prostatectomy
Robotic prostatectomy is robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgery to remove the entire prostate to treat prostate cancer. It is the most common surgical treatment for prostate cancer. What to Expect During Radical Prostatectomy For this operation, our Mount Sinai urologists access the prostate through the abdomen with six small incisions. Once we remove the prostate in its entirety, we stitch the bladder to the urethra (the tube that drains urine to the outside of the body). Our surgeon then places a tube called a foley catheter in the bladder and urethra to drain urine while these organs heal. The catheter drains urine directly into an external bag. We usually place a drain in one of the incisions to help rid the body of fluids, and our surgeon removes it before we discharge the patient from the hospital. Recovery Following robotic prostatectomy, we generally admit patients to the hospital overnight for observation. Most patients are eating and walking the day of surgery, and oral pain medications help control their pain well. After discharge, we schedule an office visit for our patients five to seven days later for catheter removal. Benefits The robotic radical prostatectomy offers a faster return of urinary continence and sexual function compared to open prostatectomy. At Mount Sinai, we ensure optimal healing and well-being of patients following surgery. Our physicians work with them to help them return to a routine as quickly as possible. You can learn more about prostate cancer, scheduling and preparing for surgery, and frequently asked questions about robotic prostatectomy by clicking here.Robotic Pyeloplasty
Robotic pyeloplasty is robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery to remove a blockage in the urinary system where the kidney (renal pelvis) drains into the ureter. This condition is called ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Robotic surgery provides the precision needed for suturing the ureter back to the renal pelvis, which helps restore urine flow.
What to Expect During Robotic Pyeloplasty
Our Mount Sinai urologists perform state-of-the-art robotic pyeloplasty using the laparoscopic technique. We perform it the same way we perform open surgery; however, we use tiny incisions instead of abdominal incisions or large flanks. Our surgeon inserts robotic instruments through these incisions to place trocars or portals, which lets them cut out the obstruction and then repair it.
Recovery
Typically, patients need to stay in the hospital for one to two days following surgery. The recovery from surgery takes about three to four weeks, depending on the individual condition.
Benefits
This surgery is a minimally invasive and safe technique with less loss of blood, reduced pain, and faster recovery. The patient can return to routine activities relatively quickly.
Robotic Sacrocolpopexy for Women
Robotic sacrocolpopexy uses robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery to secure the vaginal vault (the top of the vagina) to the sacrum (the base of the spine where it connects to the top of the pelvis). This surgery is for women who experience partial or complete pelvic floor prolapse, a condition in which the pelvic organs (bladder, small bowel, urethra, or vagina) drop out of place and push through the vagina. This condition most commonly affects women whose pelvic muscles and tissues are weak or stretched from childbirth or previous surgery.
What to Expect During the Surgery
Our surgeons perform the surgery using five to six small incisions in the abdomen. In this procedure, we use a mesh structure to anchor the cervix or vaginal vault to the sacral bone, thereby restoring pelvic organs to their normal position.
Recovery
After this surgery, we typically discharge patients from the hospital in less than 24 hours. We prescribe medications for pain management and follow-up visits to review the progress.
Benefits
Robotic sacrocolpopexy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves less loss of blood and less pain. In addition, recovery is quick.