Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer
Sutter Cancer Center Treatments & Services

Since 2005, the preferred treatment of prostate cancer at Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region, and around the world, is a surgical procedure called the da Vinci prostatectomy.

Treatment options for prostate cancer depend on the stage of cancer, the Gleason score, and the patient's age and general health. There are three surgical options for removing the prostate. A radical prostatectomy requires an eight to 10 inch incision to access the prostate. This approach often results in substantial blood loss and long, uncomfortable recovery. Conventional laparoscopy relies on inflexible instruments and standard 2D video to remove the prostate using small incisions. Because of these drawbacks, conventional laparoscopy doesn’t lend itself well to complex procedures like prostatectomy.

da Vinci prostatectomy is a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy performed in a minimally invasive approach. Surgeons have demonstrated (and widely published) results with da Vinci prostatectomy that offer excellent rates of cancer control while speeding the return of urinary continence and sexual function.

The following table looks at patient outcomes following surgery for prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy), and compares "best in class" data from two types of surgery. As you can see, da Vinci prostatectomy shows measurable advantages as compared to conventional open surgery performed through large incisions.

Average Outcomes for da Vinci vs. Open Surgery
Outcome	da Vinci	Open
Cancer Control
» T2 Margin status	2.5	5.9
Complications
» Estimated Blood Loss (EBL)	109 ml	1355 ml
» Length of Stay	1.2 days	3 days
Urinary Central
» 3 Month	92.9%	54%
» 6 Month	94.9%	80%
» 12 Month	97.4%	93%
Sexual Function	86%	71%

The da Vinci prostatectomy incorporates a technically advanced surgical system that helps your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.

For most patients, the da Vinci prostatectomy offers numerous potential benefits over open prostatectomy including a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss with lower risk of transfusions, less scarring, faster recovery, and quicker return to normal activities.

Why choose Sutter for your da Vinci surgery?

Patients from the Sacramento region and around the country choose to have their da Vinci surgery at Sutter because:

• Sutter is the regional leader in robotic surgery and performs a variety of urologic, colorectal and gynecological surgeries using robotic surgery totaling more than 460 in 2011;
• We have a dedicated surgery team for da Vinci surgeries;
• Integrated cancer support services including chemotherapy, radiation oncology, medical oncology, cancer prevention, cancer support groups and education;
  

da Vinci Prostatectomy Surgeons

The following physicians are trained in da Vinci prostatectomies and partial prostatectomies:

	Brian Naftulin, M.D., Medical Director of Robotic Cancer Surgery at Sutter Cancer Center
	Carolina Alvayay, M.D., Board Certified in Urology
	Jonathan Eandi, M.D., Fellowship Trained in Urologic Robotic Oncology
	Kiumars R. Hekmat, M.D., Board Certified in Urology
	David S. Yee, M.D., MPH, Fellowship trained in Robotic Surgery and Urologic Oncology

Are you a candidate for da Vinci surgery?

• You have been told by your physician that you have localized prostate cancer that has not spread
• You are a candidate for open surgery
• You have not had multiple prior abdominal surgeries
• Click on our physician profiles above for a contact phone number or use our online form to help you find your physician today!