Humanitas as an International Training Center for Robotic Surgery in Urology
Humanitas is the first center in Italy and one of the few in Europe recognized by EAU (European Association of Urology) as an international training centre for robotic surgery in the field of urology. Humanitas Urology Unit is directed by Prof. Giorgio Ferruccio Guazzoni.
What is robotic surgery and when is it used?
Robotic surgery, also known as robot-assisted surgery, is a method used to perform surgery with small tools attached to a robotic arm. The surgeon controls the robotic arm while seated at a computer near the operating table. The computer provides the surgeon with a 3D view of the surgical site in high definition. This way, the surgeon can lead other team members to assist him or her during the operation. Robotic surgery is mostly applied to urology.
Robotic surgery is often the preferred procedure in comparison to other complex urological procedures. It is used to treat conditions ranging from kidney failure with particular reference to tumors (saving the kidney or radical surgery) all the way to adrenal disorders and ureteral disorders (resulting from obstruction or injury). Its use, however, depends on a variety of factors such as physician training, equipment availability and cultural factors. A radical prostatectomy is an operation to remove the prostate gland. With the robot-assisted approach, this operation allows surgeons to achieve better functional results in terms of continence and sexual potency.
General benefits of robotic surgery
Other benefits of robotic surgery include the following:
- Less pain
- Less blood loss
- Less noticeable scars
- Fewer complications (such as infection of the surgical site)
- Faster recovery
Surgeons who use the robotic system find that it enhances the flexibility, precision and control of the operation. It allows them to view the site in a way far more advanced compared to traditional techniques. Using robotic surgery, surgeons are able to perform delicate and complex procedures that may have been difficult or impossible with other techniques.