Cutting Edge

http://www.newsweek.com/id/51510/page/1
Newsweek
December 19th, 2005




This article discussed the role of robotic surgery in prostatectomy and how it has dramatically improved the surgical procedure. Currently, 20% of all US prostatecomies is done with robots. In a 2003 study of 300 patients published in the British Journal of Urology, patients who receive conventional prostatecomies lost 5 times as much blood, had 4 times as much risk of complications, and remained in the hospital 3 times as long compared to those who receive robot-assisted prostatecomies. Many of the problems associated with prostatecomies happen after the surgery including loss of urinary and sexual function. Patients who received robotic surgery regained urinary function in about a month and a half which was 4 times as fast as conventional prostatectomy patients. These patients were also able to have sexual intercourse again in about 11 months as opposed to the 2 years it would take with conventional prostatecomies. 
This article is a major breakthrough for the proponents of robotic surgery because it supports the assertion that robotic surgery boasts significant additional benefits to prostate cancer patients. The article is the first case in which evidence has been provided to support the claims of benefits over conventional surgical procedures and claims that robotic surgery vastly improves the quality of life of patients. In terms of blood loss, risk of complications, and hospital stays, robotic prostatecomies boast dramatic improvements over conventional prostatecomies. Another study conducted by Dr. Thomas Ahlering of University of California Irvine Medical Center confirmed the findings of the study published in the British Journal of Urology.