Replay of: Prostatectomy using the DaVinci Robotic System

First Seen Live Webcast: Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 3:00pm (CST) 4:00pm (EST) (21:00 UTC)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, TN- Vanderbilt University Medical Center's department of Urologic Surgery, a nationally recognized leader in the treatment of prostate disease, hosted a live webcast from 3:00pm until 4:00pm (CST) on December 8, for a robotically-assisted radical prostatectomy (prostate removal). To date VUMC has successfully performed over two hundred similar robotically-assisted prostate surgeries and is recognized as a national leader for this procedure.

	Robotically-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Introducing a new degree of freedom and control for the surgeon, and eliminating the awkwardness of endoscopic technique, robotic systems help to extend the important benefits of minimally invasive surgery to new groups of patients.

Robotically-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Endoscopic surgery, a less-invasive alternative to traditional open surgery, uses small incisions, or ports, for the insertion of an optical device (endoscope) and surgical instruments. Viewing the operating field through a video monitor, the endoscopic surgeon manipulates instruments with the use of mechanical extensions. Compared to traditional open surgery, endoscopic technique reduces blood loss and postoperative pain and allows quicker recovery from surgery. But it's an awkward way to work, involving large arm movements and requiring the surgeon to transpose his movements as he manipulates instruments in a visual field where up is down and left is right.

The live webcast allowed viewers to see critical portions of the surgery, performed by Dr. Joseph A. Smith Jr., Vanderbilt's chairman of the Department of Urologic Surgery, as it happens. The event was moderated by Dr. Duke Herrell, assistant professor of Urologic Surgery, who explained critical portions of the procedure as Smith operates. Drs. Smith and Herrell were able to respond to viewer questions throughout the live event. Click "view webcast" to see the archive.