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In prostate cancer, cancerous cells develop in the prostate. It is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer, and results in more deaths than any cancer except lung cancer. Possible treatments and prognoses for prostate cancer depend on the stage of the cancer, the Gleason Score5 and the age and general health of the patient. Thanks to the high level of awareness of the population, cancer is often diagnosed early, resulting in fewer deaths. Besides this, cancer patients can live an active, productive life after cancer treatment, thanks to new advances in medical technology at German cancer centers and clinics such as da Vinci surgery method.
Apart from the da Vinci robot method, there are five well-known prostate cancer surgery types:
At our clinic in Germany, da Vinci prostate surgery is the first choice of treatment in the case of localised prostate cancer. Thanks to the ground-breaking surgical technique offered by da Vinci robotic surgery, many German surgeons now prefer da Vinci prostate surgery.
The new da Vinci surgical system supports the surgeons during laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery), which enables precise, minimally invasive removal of the cancerous prostate. Instead of a long cut in the abdomen, minimally invasive procedures such as da Vinci robotic surgery require five or six small cuts of 5–12mm, through which the surgical instruments and a high-performance surgical camera are inserted.
The da Vinci® Si HD Surgical System has two components:
The da Vinci surgical robot is positioned directly beside the patient during surgery. It is fitted with cameras and 2-3 robotic instrument arms. Implementing the movements of the skilled German surgeons at the da Vinci control console, these arms perform the surgery on the patient, with tremor-free precision.
During surgery, the da Vinci control console is operated by the surgeon who controls the precise da Vinci micro-surgical instruments, which are more dextrous than human hands. The movements of the surgeon are echoed 1:1 by the da Vinci® System. Instruments with 7 degrees of freedom implement these movements on the patient.
Endoscopic cameras provide 3D, 12x zoomed images of the surgical area.
An additional concern for prostate cancer patients is the retention of urinary continence and sexual functioning after surgery. Studies show that da Vinci surgery patients regain continence sooner and have less pronounced pain in the urinary tract than patients who have radiation therapy (brachytherapy) or other forms of treatment. Several studies also show that patients who are potent before surgery regain their sexual functioning (i.e. erectile function for sexual intercourse) within a year of surgery with the da Vinci System. Speak to your surgeon about realistic expectations regarding regaining your sexual function and a rehabilitation programme, including physical activity and medicamentous treatment after surgery.
Please note: The da Vinci Surgical System is not controlled by a robot. Highly proficient German surgeons always have full control of the procedure and the robot-supported da Vinci System platform is only there to assist him.
The specially trained da Vinci®-System surgical team consists of the head physicians of the Clinic for Urology, Paediatric Urology and Onco-urology, Dr. med. Wilhelm Esser-Bartels, Dr. med. Claus Friedrich Fieseler und Dr. med. Eberhard Köhler.
This team of experts has performed many laparoscopic procedures successfully. The da Vinci surgical method has been available at the Friedrichshafen Clinic since early 2011.
Da Vinci surgery is suitable for all patients with localised prostate cancer for whom laparoscopic or classical surgery is possible.
Do you have any questions about da Vinci robotic surgery?
In the case of any interest or questions regarding da Vinci® techniques, please contact one of our specialists or arrange an appointment and get all the information you need during our special da Vinci® consultation hours.
Comments and questions
MD Claus F. Fieseler
Head of the Urology and Nephrology Department
MD Eberhard Köhler
Head physician assistant
MD Carsten Sippel
Head physician assistant
Prof MD Wilhelm Esser-Bartels
Head physician assistant
MD Christina Schmitt
Senior physician
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Leo Pereyra Tue, 12 Jun 14:43
Hello: I am facing repeated urinary infections coming from a bacterial prostatitis for almost 1 year now. I had partial nefroctomy first but after 6 days I had complication then complete right kidney was removed. After 1 month after the surgery I started to sofer urinary infections. I really concern I have only 1 kidney and it is 1 year I am taking antibiotics due to my creatinin is high 1.83 and I have to continue with long term treatment. I need to solve my problem I believe at this stage I should remove the prostate since my life quality is miserable. I am based in Aachen. I need to know if you could help me. Many thanks for feedback.
Idriz Maliqi Sun, 14 Jan 22:53
Dear Doctor,
My friend has a prostate cancer with grade 3+3=6. Is it necessary to operate or can be prevented by medicine?
Best regards.
Mr. Ramzan Sat, 06 Jan 10:12
Hi there,
my mum’s operation was TLC, BSO, Peritoneal washings, bilateral tap blocks. Grade 2 endomeetrioid cancer. Mum has small cell ureteric cancer, widespread bone metastases throughout the spine. Do you think you can help?
Thank you so much
Mr. Ramzan
Klinikum Friedrichshafen Tue, 09 Jan 09:05
Dear Mr. Ramzan,
thank you very much for your request and your interest in our medical services! We will be definitely able to help your mother. To provide you with the information about the possible treatment and the next step, please leave us your contact phone number and we will get in touch with you.
We thank you in advance and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards
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