Urologic robotic surgery at MedStar Health
At MedStar Health, our urology specialists are leaders in using minimally invasive robotic surgery to treat urologic cancers and other non-cancerous conditions affecting the urinary tract. When minimally invasive robotic surgery is your best option, you’ll benefit from many advantages over traditional surgery, including less pain after surgery and quicker recoveries.
As one of the largest, most experienced urologic robotic surgery teams in the mid-Atlantic region, we’ve performed thousands of robotic surgeries since 2003. With more than 13 da Vinci® Surgical Systems across the MedStar Health system, we’re able to treat a high volume of patients using the most advanced robotic technology available today. In addition, our urologic surgeons are leading research in the field, investigating surgical techniques in clinical trials to improve cancer outcomes and quality of life for our patients.
Types of urologic robotic surgery
Our fellowship-trained urologic surgeons are experts in the full range of minimally invasive urologic surgeries using robotic-assisted technology, including:
- Prostate removal (Pelvic fascia-sparing prostatectomy)
- Kidney cancer surgery (Partial nephrectomy and Vena cava tumor thrombectomy)
- Bladder cancer surgery (Robotic cystectomy)
- Urinary reconstruction after bladder cancer surgery (Intracorporeal urinary diversion and neobladder)
- Testicular cancer surgery (Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection)
- Pelvic organ prolapse surgery (Sacrocolpopexy)
- Urologic reconstructive procedures, such as:
- Pyeloplasty and upper urinary tract reconstruction
- Robotic bladder neck reconstruction
- Robotic ureteral reconstruction including with buccal mucosa
Benefits of robotic surgery for urologic conditions
Because robotic surgery allows us to treat urologic cancers and conditions with greater precision and smaller incisions than other surgical approaches, it offers numerous benefits for patients, including:
- Less pain after surgery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Less blood loss
- Fewer risks of complications
- Less scarring
- Faster recovery times
- Excellent outcomes
While many patients are candidates for robotic surgery, your urologic specialist will discuss the treatment options that will be best suited for you, depending on your condition, medical history, overall health, and treatment goals.
What happens during robotic-assisted surgery?
During robotic urologic surgery, your surgeon will use the daVinci Surgical Robot to perform the procedure. After creating a few tiny incisions, your surgeon will insert specialized instruments and a 3-D camera mounted on the robotic arms near the surgical site. Sitting behind the surgical console at your bedside, your surgeon will be in complete control of the robotic arms as they mimic your surgeon’s movements. This allows your surgeon to operate with greater precision than the human hand alone. With a crystal clear, magnified view of the surgical site, your surgeon can carefully perform the surgery while avoiding damage to nearby nerves and tissue. After surgery, robotic technology allows your surgeon to effectively and safely suture (stitch) your incisions to facilitate faster healing and less scarring.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Gaurav Bandi, MD
Endourology And Stone Disease & Urology
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Mohit Gupta, MD
Urologic Oncology & Urology
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Ryan Hankins, MD
Urology
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Jonathan J Hwang, MD
Urology & Urologic Oncology
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Keith John Kowalczyk, MD
Urologic Oncology
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Ross E. Krasnow, MD
Urologic Oncology & Urology
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Nathan Michael Shaw, MD
Trauma And Reconstructive Urology & Urology
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Lambros Stamatakis, MD
Urologic Oncology & Urology
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Rachael Dana Sussman, MD
Urogynecology, Urology, Minimally Invasive Urology & Female Urology
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Our locations
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MedStar Health: Urology at Chevy Chase
5530 Wisconsin Ave. Ste. 950 Chevy Chase, MD 20815
MedStar Health: Urology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road, NW Pasquerilla Healthcare Center 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20007
MedStar Health: Urology at Lafayette Centre
1133 21st St., NW Building 2 Floor 6 Washington, D.C., 20036
MedStar Health: Urology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
106 Irving St., NW Physicians Office Building (POB) Ste. 315 Washington, D.C., 20010
MedStar Health: Urology at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
6820 Hospital Dr. Ste. 210 Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Health: Medical Center at Mitchellville
12158 Central Ave. Mitchellville, MD 20721
MedStar Health: Medical Center at Leisure World Boulevard
3305 North Leisure World Blvd. Silver Spring, MD 20906
MedStar Health: Medical Center at Brandywine
13950 Brandywine Rd. Brandywine, MD 20613
Frequently asked questions
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Is robotic surgery safer than traditional surgery?
All surgeries come with risks and benefits, however, robotic surgery is generally associated with fewer risks of complications. Because it involves tiny incisions, patients often experience less blood loss, less pain, and faster recoveries than open surgery, while achieving the same or better outcomes. Many open surgeries that require several days or weeks of hospitalization can now be performed using robotic surgery, decreasing a patient’s hospital stay to several days or even eliminating it altogether, in some cases.
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How is robotic surgery different from laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery is another minimally invasive surgical approach that uses tiny incisions. However, it involves the use of long-handled instruments maneuvered by the human hand, which can be limited in range of motion and dexterity. During robotic surgery, your surgeon is in control of specialized instruments attached to robotic arms that mimic your surgeon’s movements. Because these instruments are much smaller than the human hand, your surgeon can operate with even greater precision and accuracy. Both laparoscopic and robotic surgery lead to less pain, fewer risks, and quicker recoveries than open surgery.
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Is robotic surgery right for me?
Your surgical options will vary based on your condition, medical history, goals, and preferences. However, many people who are candidates for minimally invasive surgery are candidates for robotic surgery. Your urologist will discuss the pros and cons of your surgical options and recommend the approach that will be most beneficial for you.