Robotic Prostatectomy

Robotic prostate surgery at St Vincents Hospital

A/Prof Stricker brought the first robotic prostate surgery programme to NSW at St Vincents Hospital performing the first cases in February 2006. Since then over 150 patients have now been treated at St Vincents with this technology. A/Prof Stricker is now one of a handful of fully trained robotic surgeons in Australia who performs this procedure regularly and one of 6 surgeons in Australia qualified to mentor other robotic surgeons. With his unique experience in nerve sparing surgery A/Prof Stricker is ideally placed to achieve the same results with the robotic technology with the added potential of a more rapid convalescence.

A/Prof Stricker's current robotic results are:

  • PT2 positive margin rate: 8% (all focal).
    • These results compare extremely favourably with other major international series.
  • Operating time: 2.5 - 3 hours.
  • Blood loss: Average 150mls. (no transfusions to date).
  • Conversion to open operation: Nil.
  • Hospital stay: 94% of patients leave by day 3.
  • Removal of catheter: 95% of patients have catheter removed on day 6 or 7.
  • Major complications: Nil.
  • Re-admission rate: Nil.
  • Urinary stricture rate: Nil.
  • Urinary continence rate (no requirement for a pad): 75% by 3 months and 90% by six months.
  • Sexual function rate: Early results are extremely encouraging with the Vip Patel technique that I currently use and full data will be published once the minimum of 12 months follow-up on all patients is achieved. To date early indicators are extremely favourable and more mature data from large American series, using the same technique, have given results equal to the results I have achieved with the open technique.

robotic prostatectomy

da Vinci PROSTATECTOMY

Da Vinci Robotic prostatectomy is the newest and most advanced surgical option for qualified patients. This method gives a surgeon greater visualization, enhanced dexterity, precision, control and superior ergonomics. This very precise surgery only requires 5 small incisions (1cm) in the abdomen.


robotic prostatectomy

About the da Vinci Robotic System

The da Vinci Surgical System is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology. The System allows your surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables him to perform precise surgery in complex procedures through small surgical incisions.

The da Vinci System enhances surgical capabilities by enabling the performance of complex surgeries through tiny surgical openings. The System cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own. The da Vinci System requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon. The da Vinci Surgical System has been successfully used in thousands of prostate cancer procedures world-wide.

For qualified patients, there are numerous potential benefits including:

  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Less pain and less pain medication
  • Less risk of infection
  • Less blood loss
  • Less scarring
  • Faster and more complete recovery
  • Quicker return to normal activities

Surgical Benefits:

  • 3-D visualization provides the surgeon with a true 3-dimensional view of the operating field. This direct and natural hand-eye instrument alignment is similar to open surgery with all-around vision and the ability to zoom-in and zoom-out.
  • Dexterity: the da Vinci Robotic System provides the surgeon with intuitive operative controls that allows the experienced surgeon to use his open surgery skills rather than having to use counter-intuitive motions typically required by a laparoscopic approach.
  • Surgical Precision: permits the surgeon to manipulate instruments with such accuracy that the current definition of surgical precision is exceeded.
  • Range of Motion: the robotic instruments offer the surgeon full range of motion and ability to rotate the instruments through tiny incisions
  • Ergonomics: the surgeon can sit in a comfortable position, allowing him to concentrate fully on the surgery.
  • Improved Access: Surgeons perform complex surgical maneuvers through 1-cm ports, eliminating the need for large traumatic incisions.

Watch the da Vinci System Overview
(.wmv within zip archive, 3.4MB, Running time: 1'14")