Benefits:

da Vinci vs. Traditional Surgery

To remove the prostate in a traditional procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in either the abdomen or the scrotum area and opens the patient to access and remove the prostate. This can mean a hospital stay of several days or longer and an extended recovery period.

With da Vinci, the incisions are very small – just large enough to accommodate tiny robotic tools and a small camera. Many patients only require one or two days in the hospital and are back to their normal routines in a matter of weeks or even days. Another benefit is precision. The view and range of motion made possible by robotic “hands” and “eyes” help significantly lower the potential risk of post-operative impotence or incontinence.

Is everyone diagnosed with prostate cancer a candidate for da Vinci? Not necessarily. Sometimes traditional surgery or radiation treatment will be the best answer. UVa’s outstanding prostate cancer team will work with you to determine the treatment plan that's right for you.

Benefits Include

• Less blood loss
• Less trauma
• Less pain and discomfort
• Less risk of infection
• Less hospital time
• Less overall recovery time
• Less scarring
• Less chance of incontinence and potency problems