Robotic Surgery in Prostate Cancer: Benefits, Precision & Recovery Time

12/17/2025

When a man hears the words “You may need surgery for prostate cancer,” the mind often races faster than the doctor can speak. There is fear, confusion, and a long list of “what ifs.” But over the last decade, something remarkable has changed the way prostate cancer is treated. Technology—not the kind that replaces the doctor, but the kind that serves as an extension of their hands—has quietly reshaped modern prostate surgery. The following article gently unpacks what robotic prostate surgery really is, how it works, and what patients can expect.

Read Also: When to See a Urologist: Common Problems and Solutions

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland present below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. This small gland secretes a fluid that combines with semen to maintain sperm health for conception. Prostate cancer happens when the prostate cells start multiplying abnormally.

Prostate cancer leads to serious complications as the disease advances. It's a common condition that affects 13 out of 100 men at some time in their lives. Fortunately, most individuals are detected before cancer extends beyond their prostate glands. Treatment at this stage can potentially eliminate cancer cells.

Read Also: Consider TURP for Your Enlarged Prostate

Types of Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgeries

Depending on the prostate disorder to be treated, a robotic prostatectomy can be performed in the following ways:

• Robot assisted radical  prostatectomy (RAP): This is a robot-assisted procedure that is performed to treat prostate cancer. In radical robotic prostatectomy, the entire prostate gland is surgically removed along with some surrounding tissues and the nearby lymph nodes, depending upon the circumstances. It's also called robot-assisted  radical prostatectomy (RARP).
• Nerve-sparing prostatectomy: A nerve-sparing prostatectomy implies the removal of the prostate gland without injuring the nerves that control erections. This is not possible in case the cancer is located near the nerves. A non-nerve-sparing prostatectomy may be necessary in such a scenario.

Read Also: Advanced Cancer Care At ETIC, Eternal Hospital: Precision Medicine With Dr. Amit Verma

How is Robotic Prostatectomy Done?

The surgeon performs the majority of the robotic surgical procedures while seated at a computer panel, using small wristed devices that have a far wider range of motion than a human wrist. The procedure is carried out without the surgeon's hands going into the patient's body. Robotic prostatectomy is performed in the following steps:

• With the latest surgical equipment, miniature robotic instruments are inserted through numerous small keyhole incisions in the patient's abdomen, allowing the surgeon to precisely remove the prostate and surrounding tissues. 
• This is far less invasive than a traditional radical retropubic prostatectomy, which requires a large abdominal incision that runs from the belly button to the pubic bone.
• While performing a robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy procedure, a 3D endoscope and computerized imaging equipment are used to produce a magnified view (10x view) of tender tissues around the prostate gland (such as nerves, blood arteries, and muscles), facilitating optimum preservation of these critical structures. 
• The prostate is subsequently removed through one of the keyhole incisions.
• The incision is then closed.

Key Features of the da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System at Eternal Hospital

The following are the key features of the advanced multiport robotic surgical system, da Vinci Xi, at Eternal Hospital:

• Multi-specialty use
• Highly precise operative outcomes
• Flexible system architecture
• Fourth-generation modular design
• Highly magnified 3DHD imaging with 10 times magnification.
• Integrated Firefly® fluorescence imaging for real-time visualization of tissues
• Wristed instruments (540 degree range of robotic wrist movements)
• Tremor filtration and intuitive motion technology 
• Boom-mounted architecture
• Integrated table motion
• Guided setup & user-friendly interface
• Visual and audible cues
• Easy-to-learn interface

Robotic vs Open Prostatectomy

Aspect	Robotic Prostatectomy	Open Prostatectomy
Incisions	Small, keyhole cuts	Long abdominal incision
Pain	Usually mild	Moderate to high
Blood loss	Minima	Higher
Hospital stay	1-2 days	3-5 days
Recovery time	Faster return to work	Slower
Nerve-sparing chances	Better due to clear visibility	Depends on the surgeon's skill & visibility
Urinary control recovery	Either completely continent or recovers very fast	May take longer

Advantages of da Vinci Xi Prostatectomy Over Traditional Surgery for Prostate Cancer

In comparison to traditional open surgery, patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy experience:

• Lesser blood loss
• Lesser pain
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster recovery times 
• Lower risk of infection
• Smaller scars

Why Choose Eternal Hospital for Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer Treatment?

The da Vinci Xi® Surgical System is the cutting-edge robotic surgical equipment available at the Eternal Hospital, providing safer and less invasive surgeries. This surgical system is equipped with four completely functional robotic arms—dedicated for the endoscope, bipolar and monopolar surgical instruments, and precision graspers. This multi-arm configuration promotes surgical precision, stability, and efficiency, improving the surgeon's control over the surgery.

Conclusion

Despite the name, robotic surgery doesn’t mean a machine operates on its own. It is a doctor-controlled system. The surgeon sits at a console, looking through a magnified 3D screen while operating tiny, flexible instruments that move with far greater precision than the human wrist. Imagine the difference between writing with a thick marker versus writing with a perfectly sharpened pencil—that’s the kind of control the system provides. 

A prostate cancer diagnosis can bring a mix of emotions and fears. At Eternal Hospital, we can help you feel like yourself again with expert treatment and support. Book your consultation now.

FAQs

Q1: Who is the best robotic prostatectomy specialist in Jaipur?
A: Dr. Ravi Gupta, working at Eternal Hospital, is the best robotic prostatectomy specialist in Jaipur.

Q2: What are the robotic prostatectomy benefits at Eternal Hospital?
A: Eternal Hospital’s urologists use advanced endoscopic techniques to treat enlarged prostate symptoms without opting for open procedures. Experts here perform highly safe robotic surgery in most cases.

Q3: Does prostate gland removal result in impotence?
A: The nerves involved in sexual function may not be impacted by a prostatectomy if it is nerve sparing. If it is non nerve sparing prostatectomy then the time it takes to get an erection again  varies. Certain individuals might be able to do so soon. Others may eventually restore the capacity with the aid of medications.