Who Is a Candidate for Robotic Prostate Surgery?

Robotic devices for prostate surgery let surgeons perform complex procedures with expanded movement, 3-D visualization and a better view of the operative field than with traditional methods. Robotic surgery causes less trauma to the surgical site, resulting in faster patient recovery. Some patients are better-suited for the procedure.

Extent of Disease

• The prostate cancer must be clinically localized; that is, confined to the prostate gland. It cannot have spread to the lymph nodes and other organs.

Previous Abdominal Surgery

• A history of surgeries on the abdominal region, such as appendectomy, hernia or gall bladder procedures, doesn't preclude the use of robotic method for prostate surgery.

Exclusionary Neurological Factors

• Patients who have had a stroke or cerebral aneurysm likely aren't candidates for robotic prostate surgery, as the surgical table is titled head-first at a 45° angle for the one- to three-hour procedure.

Exclusionary Cardiac and Pulmonary Factors

• The following cardiac and pulmonary disorders are among those that exclude patients from robotic prostate surgery: class II̵1;IV angina, class II̵1;IV congestive heart failure, severe restrictive lung disease, asthma or cardio-obstructive pulmonary disease and any condition requiring supplemental oxygen.

Miscellaneous Contraindicating Factors

• Other factors include severe glaucoma, hip disease or disorder that's not compatible with the surgical position, and obesity with a BMI of 40 or greater.