Robotic Prostatectomy
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Robotic Prostatectomy Postoperative Instructions
Expectations Following Robotic Prostatectomy
Instructions for Catheter Removal
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About Dr. Jim C. Hu, MD, MPH
Robotic Prostatectomy
If you and your doctor decide on surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for a minimally invasive surgical procedure called robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Radical prostatectomy is the surgical removal of the prostate to treat prostate cancer. The robot is a state-of-the-art surgical system involves fine instruments by a trained urologist who uses the equipment to surgically remove your prostate gland through several small incisions. However, a steep learning curve has been described for the procedure, estimating that more than 150 procedures are required to good outcomes. For comparison, a recent survey by Denberg reported that almost 85% of urologists perform less than 30 radical prostatectomies a year.
It is estimated that 50 percent of radical prostatectomies performed in 2008 will be performed with the robotic approach. For most patients, potential advantages with robot prostatectomy over open radial prostatectomy include:
Decreased blood loss and decreased likelihood of blood transfusion
Improved visualization of the anatomy due to 3-D vision, increased magnification, and less blood loss
Small incisions less than ½ an inch.
Precise, fine surgical maneuvers guided by the surgeon
Less pain after surgery, decreasing the need for pain medications
Faster recovery. Most patients are well enough to leave the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery and resume routine activities 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Removal of the urethral catheter 5-7 days after surgery
Dr. Jim C. Hu, MD, MPH
Dr. Hu is the Director of Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology and the only surgeon in New England, and one of the few in the US, fellowship trained exclusively in robotic surgery. He completed his fellowship at one of the highest volume robotic prostatectomy center in the world, where he performed more than 450 robotic prostatectomies from 2004-05. He was recruited to launch the robotic program at BWH in September of 2005, and he performed over 350 robotic prostatectomies in the last two years. Furthermore, Dr. Hu was a visiting lecturer in Taiwan where he demonstrated robotic prostatectomy and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy to Taiwanese urologists at Triservices General Hospital, MacKay Memorial Hospital, and Taipei City Hospital. Dr. Hu has also proctored surgeons learning robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in California, Massachusetts, and in Asia.
Dr. Hu has also received several institutional, foundation, and federal research awards and grants for his prostate cancer research:
| Brigham and Women's Department of Surgery Institutional Grant | $25,000 |
| Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Institute Prostate Cancer SPORE Career Development Award | $75,000 |
| Lance Armstrong Young Investigator Award | $110,000 |
| Department of Defense Training Award | $560,000 |
To learn more about Dr. Jim C. Hu and his extensive experience performing robot-assisted laparoscopic surgeries, please click here.
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