Dr. Lawrence R. Strawbridge of Alaska Urological Associates is featured in the following Anchorage Daily News article from April 12th, 2005:

Remote-Control Surgery Boosts Precision, Reduces Complications

So that you can learn more about the robotic surgery treatment option mentioned in the above article, Alaska Urological Associates is pleased to provide the following information about the da Vinci robotic prostatectomy procedure. (Reprinted by kind permission of Intuitive Surgical, Inc., manufacturer of the da Vinci surgical system.)

The urologists at Alaska Urological Associates have been successfully trained in providing leading-edge treatments such as da Vinci prostatectomy. With thousands of procedures currently performed worldwide, da Vinci prostatectomy is setting a new standard for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer.

The Disease: Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of the semen.

Approximately 16% of American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime in their life. Treatment options and prognosis depend on the stage of the cancer, the Gleason score, and the patient's age and general health. With greater public awareness, early detection is on the rise and mortality rates are declining.

Additionally, new advances in medical technology are enabling cancer patients to go on to live active and productive lives after their treatment. Consult with your doctor for advice on the options that are available to treat your specific condition.

The Surgical Treatment: Radical Prostatectomy

One of the most common treatments for prostate cancer involves the surgical removal of the prostate gland, known as radical prostatectomy. Traditional radical prostatectomy requires a large, 8-10 inch incision. This open surgery commonly results in substantial bloos loss, a lengthy and uncomfortable recovery and the risk of impotence and incontinence.

da Vinci® Prostatectomy: A Less Invasive Surgical Procedure

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for a new, less-invasive surgical procedure called da Vinci Prostatectomy. This procedure incoporates a state-of-the-art surgical system that helps your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.

For most patients, da Vinci Prostatectomy offers numerous potential benefits over the traditional open prostatectomy, including:

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss and transfusions
• Less scarring
• Faster recovery
• Quicker return to normal activities

As with any surgical procedure, these benefits cannot be guaranteed as surgery is both patient and procedure specific.

The Enabling Technology: da Vinci® Surgical System

View Video About da Vinci Prostatectomy

The da Vinci Surgical System is powered by state-of-the-art robotic technology. The System allows your surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site.

The da Vinci System enhances surgical capabilities by enabling the performance of complex surgeries through tiny surgical openings. The System cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions on its own. The da Vinci System requires that every surgical mauveuver be performed with direct input from your surgeon.

The da Vinci Surgical System has been successfully used in thousands of prostate cancer procedures worldwide.

*Referenced studies available upon request.

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