The urology specialty covers conditions of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive system. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, and associated connective tissues and muscles. The male reproductive system encompasses the prostate gland, penis, testicles, and associated connective structures. Conditions that cause problems of these systems include, but are not limited to, enlarged prostate, benign tumors, and cancer and may require medical attention. In the case of cancer or when lifestyle changes, medicine, and other options do not ease symptoms of other conditions, your doctor may suggest surgery.

Types of surgery

In the past, surgeons made large incisions in skin and muscle so that they could directly see and work on the area of concern. This is called open surgery. Today doctors still perform open surgery, but they can also perform many urologic procedures using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery, possibly with da Vinci technology.

Both minimally invasive surgical options require one or a few small incisions that doctors use to insert surgical equipment and a camera for viewing. In laparoscopic surgery, doctors use special long-handled tools to perform surgery while viewing magnified images from the laparoscope (camera) on a video screen.

Da Vinci surgical systems are comprised of three components: surgeon console, patient-side cart, and vision cart.

The surgeon console is where your surgeon sits during the procedure, has a crystal-clear 3DHD view of your anatomy, and controls the instruments. The tiny instruments are “wristed” and move like a human hand, but with a far greater range of motion.

The patient-side cart is positioned near the patient on the operating table. It is where the instruments used during the operation move in real time in response to your surgeon’s hand movements at the surgeon console.

The vision cart makes communication between the components of the system possible and provides a screen for the care team to view the operation.

“It’s important to remember that Intuitive does not provide medical advice. After discussing all options with your doctor, only you and your doctor can determine whether surgery with da Vinci technology is appropriate for your situation. You should always ask your surgeon about his or her training, experience, and patient outcomes.”

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