Important: This page is general education, not personal medical advice.
What is robotic radical prostatectomy?
Robotic radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland (and usually seminal vesicles) to treat prostate cancer. The procedure is performed using robotic-assisted minimally invasive techniques through small abdominal incisions.
Who may be a candidate?
- Patients with clinically localized prostate cancer
- Patients in whom surgery is an appropriate cancer-control option based on risk group, age, health status, and goals
- Patients who understand trade-offs and prefer surgical treatment
Goals of surgery
- Oncologic control (complete cancer removal when feasible)
- Accurate pathologic staging
- Best possible functional recovery (continence and sexual function), recognizing individual variation
Risks and trade-offs
- Bleeding, infection, anesthesia-related risk
- Temporary catheter after surgery
- Urinary leakage/incontinence during recovery (usually improves over time)
- Erectile dysfunction risk (degree depends on age, baseline function, nerve-sparing feasibility, and cancer factors)
- Possible need for additional treatment depending on final pathology/PSA follow-up
Typical recovery timeline
- Hospital stay: usually short (often overnight, varies by case)
- Catheter: generally around 1 week (case-dependent)
- Weeks 2–6: gradual return to routine activity
- Months: continence and sexual function recovery continues over time
Procedure video (real surgical footage)
Real operative footage. Viewer discretion advised.
Source video: Brigham and Women's Hospital robotic radical prostatectomy demonstration.
Questions to ask your surgeon
- Is surgery my best cancer-control option compared with radiation or surveillance in my case?
- Am I a candidate for nerve-sparing surgery?
- What are realistic continence and erectile recovery expectations for me?
- What is the follow-up PSA plan after surgery?