Caner Z. Dinlenc, MD
Erik T. Goluboff, MD

The Sol and Margaret Berger Department of Urology at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City has continued in its role as a pioneer in using groundbreaking technology to provide superior outcomes for its patients. In 2001, the prostate cancer team within the Berger Department of Urology at Beth Israel performed the first robotic radical prostatectomy in Manhattan using minimally invasive robotic surgery.

The Da Vinci Surgical System, by Intuitive Surgical, Inc., is state-of-the-art technology and consists of two primary components: the surgeons viewing and control console and the surgical arm units that position and maneuver detachable and interchangeable surgical instruments. These pencil-sized instruments, with computer-enhanced mechanical wrists are designed to provide the dexterity of the surgeon's forearm and wrist at the operative site through tiny incisions of less than one centimeter. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables them to perform precise surgery in complex procedures through small surgical incisions. This is especially important with robotic prostate surgery, where the operative field is difficult to reach.

For most patients facing prostate cancer surgery, Robotic Prostate surgery offers numerous potential benefits over traditional (open) prostate surgery, including:

• Smaller incisions
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and transfusions
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery

With robotic prostate surgery, a temporary catheter remains in place for considerably less time (five to seven days instead of two weeks), and there is less risk of urinary incontinence and impotence following the robotic prostate surgery procedure due to the exceptional precision of the operation compared to open surgery.

The da Vinci System cannot be programmed or make decisions on its own, and requires that every surgical maneuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon. It has been successfully used in thousands of prostate cancer surgery procedures worldwide.

If you are facing prostate cancer surgery, and would like a consultation on robotic prostatectomy, call Dr. Caner Z. Dinlenc at the Berger Department of Urology at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City at (212) 844-6030.