Robotic Surgery

The da Vinci System scales, filters and translates the surgeon’s hand movements into more precise micro-movements of the instruments.

Development of Robotic Surgery

The first robot was designed by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1495, however his robotic knight has come a long way over the last 500 years. There have been significant advances in surgical robot technology over the past few decades

with urology in particular at the forefront of this revolution. The introduction of the da Vinci surgical system in 1999 was the culmination of all this research.

The BUA utilise the state-of-the-art robots located at Southmead hospital (the da Vinci System).

  • "The treatment I received at Bristol Urology was outstanding. From the initial consultation through to my procedure I always felt that I was in safe hands."

    Mr D. Smith
  • Excellent as always!

    Mr Lewis

Robotic surgery today

Using the most advanced technology available today, the da Vinci Surgical System enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few tiny incisions with increased vision, precision, dexterity and control. The da Vinci Surgical System comprises three components: a surgeon’s console, a robotic cart, and a high-definition 3D vision system. The surgeon sits at the console and manipulates the 4 arms on the robotic cart which are attached to the patient.

The da Vinci System scales, filters and translates the surgeon’s hand movements into more precise micro-movements of the instruments. The system not only has benefits over open surgery due to the small incisions, but also overcomes the limitations of traditional laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery allowing more complex dissection and reconstruction. There is excellent magnification of the surgical field and tremor reducing, allowing very refined and accurate movements to be undertaken.

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Using the most advanced technology available today, the da Vinci Surgical System enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few tiny incisions with increased vision, precision, dexterity and control.

Robotic Surgery at the BUA

Benefits of Robotic Surgery

Contrary to the impression that the robot performs the surgery, the system relies on a human operator for all of its actions. This requires specialist training, and our BUA surgeons are international trainers for robotic surgery and amongst the highest volume robotic surgeons in the country. In addition, they were the first in the country to perform reconstruction of the urinary tract after removal of the bladder for cancer using the da Vinci system. With this wealth of experience, we are able to provide the full spectrum of robotic procedures, including complex prostate, kidney and bladder surgery. The BUA utilise the state-of –the-art robots located at Southmead hospital (the da Vinci System).

BUA Robotic Urology Procedures:

  • Robotic prostatectomy
  • Robotic cystectomy and intracorporeal reconstruction eg neobladder
  • Robotic partial nephrectomy
  • Robotic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy
  • Robotic ureteric re-implantation
  • Robotic pyeloplasty

As a result of these improvements for the surgeon, robotic surgery is associated with many benefits for patients:

  • less postoperative pain
  • less blood loss
  • smaller incisions and less scarring
  • shorter hospital stays
  • quicker recovery time
  • faster return to normal daily activities

Expect:

  • One night in hospital
  • Catheter in situ for approximately two weeks
  • Although recovery is quicker than open surgery, you will need to take 3-4 weeks off from work and heavy activity for a full recovery.

More information about the da Vinci system can be found here

With this wealth of experience, we are able to provide the full spectrum of robotic procedures, including complex prostate, kidney and bladder surgery.