Kidney Health: Spotlight on Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Christopher Atalla, DO, Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan University Hospital Director of Men’s Health, discusses the advantages of robotic-assisted surgery for patients with kidney tumors.

What is robotic surgery?

Not too long ago, any tumor regardless of size would result in having the entire kidney removed. Now, we can just remove the tumor and leave the rest of the healthy kidney in place—preserving renal function and still having similar outcomes.

At Catholic Health, we use the Da Vinci Xi Surgical System—an intuitive and innovative approach to minimally invasive surgery.

Robotic-assisted surgery is even more detailed and accurate than traditional laparoscopic surgery. It’s becoming the standard of care for kidney surgery because it offers physical-led surgical precision through tiny controlled movements. The robot mimics your hand movements one-to-one. Anything you do is relayed to the robot. It’s controlled by the surgeon one hundred percent. The robot is not doing anything autonomously.

What are the benefits of robotic surgery?

Benefits of robotic surgery for kidney issues include:

• Decreased blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Improved pain control
• Less recovery time
• Shorter hospital stay
• Small, laparoscopic incision versus large open incision

How do I know if I’m a candidate for robotic surgery?

Discuss with your physician if robotic surgery is the best option for you. If you are a candidate, know everything about your surgery. Ask your surgeon if you don’t know something.

Call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-695-4362) to find a Catholic Health physician near you.

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