Prostate cancer continues to be among the most common cancers affecting American men. In 2008 approximately 190,000 new cases were diagnosed. The risk of an American male experiencing prostate cancer in their lifetime is one in ten. If that man has a history of prostate cancer, the incidence is even greater. Traditionally the common treatment options for attempting to cure prostate cancer were radiation therapy to the prostate gland or the open surgical removal of the prostate. Multiple studies have demonstrated that the surgical approach to prostate cancer offers a cure rate approaching 85%. All treatment options pose some unpleasant risks to the patient. The open surgical approach exposes the patient to the potential risks of bleeding, infection, incontinence and impotence. 

Recent technical advances have made tremendous changes in the approach to surgical removal of the prostate, and in turn have dramatically changed the potential risks of the surgical approach to prostate cancer. The da Vinci surgical robot is a surgical instrument, which allows for a laparoscopic approach to an operation while allowing the benefit of complete freedom of movement of the instruments identical to the movement of the human hand and wrist. Unlike traditional laparoscopy, the visualization is three-dimensional and magnified to allow precise surgical dissection.

The da Vinci surgical robot was initially developed in conjunction with the United States military in an attempt to develop a surgical system whereby a surgeon could perform a battlefield operation from a remote site. Soon after its development, urologists realized this marvel of modern technology would allow them to perform complex operations laparoscopically that would be technically impossible to perform otherwise. By performing these operations laparoscopically, the surgeon is able to remove the prostate gland through much smaller incisions, with significantly lower blood loss, and greater accuracy due to the 3-D enhanced magnification of the laparoscopic camera. These advances allow for much greater precision during the dissection of the prostate and in its removal, specifically with regard to preserving the neurovascular bundles that affect post-surgical erectile function.

In addition, the instrument's precision and improved optics allow for a higher quality surgical repair of the urethra and the bladder neck, which accounts for improved urinary continence rates. Further benefits of this minimally invasive approach to the prostate removal include: less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, and return to work and other activities. 

Robotic-assisted radial prostatectomy is not appropriate for all patients suffering from prostate cancer. Certain stages of prostate cancer, anatomic considerations of the prostate, and the patient's prior surgical history may affect his ability to undergo this approach to curing prostate cancer. Until recently this technological advancement was not available in the Boulder county area. We now have the opportunity to provide this exceptional advancement in surgical technology to our patients.