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Robotic Surgery
at Townsville Urology

Welcome to Townsville Urology, where we specialise in Robotic Surgery. Our Urologist Dr Steven Lun has been at the forefront of Da Vinci robotically-assisted surgery. Our team of healthcare professionals are dedicated to delivering state-of-the art Robotic surgeries and compassionate care to our patients. Below are frequently asked questions regarding this procedure:

Providing Advanced Robotic Surgery for Urological Conditions

What is Robotic Surgery?

Robot-assisted surgery is technology that has been around since the 1980’s. Robotic surgery is when your Surgeon uses a robotic device to do your procedure. The device has a robotic arm that can hold small surgical instruments. Your Surgeon moves the robotic arm using controllers and a high-definition camera that provides close up 3D views of the surgical area and a surgical console viewing screen. This type of surgery provides similar outcomes to laparoscopic surgery. Some of the most common types of Robotic Assisted surgeries include Prostatectomy and Nephrectomy. Dr Lun performs both Open, Laparoscopic and Robotic assisted removals of the prostate and kidney. Robotic surgery doesn’t replace your surgeon. It’s just one of many methods they use.

Do Surgeons need specialized training to do Robot-assisted surgery?

The techniques used during Robotic surgery are like the ones used during open, tradition surgery. The main difference is how your Surgeon accesses the surgical area.

Instead of making one large incision, your Surgeon makes a few small incisions. Another difference is that the surgical instruments require less space to do their job. This limits the need to push tissue, muscle and organs aside.

During Robotic surgery, your Surgeon will:

  • Make five or more small incisions.
  • Place ports(thin tubes) through these incisions. The ports are like temporary tunnels for the surgical instruments.
  • Attach the robotic device to the ports and place instruments through them.
  • Place a long, thin camera through one of the ports. The camera provides high-definition, 3D images during the procedure.
  • Control the robotic arm while sitting at a console a few feet away from you. There will be a Surgical assistant helping Dr Lun with the operation.
  • After the procedure Dr Lun will close your incisions with sutures and add skin glue for protection of the wounds.

What are the advantages of Robotic surgery?

Compared to traditional open surgery, Robot-assisted surgery offers benefits like:
  • Less pain during recovery
  • Lower risk of infection
  • Reduced blood loss
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Smaller scars as the small incisions and instruments allow surgeons to do the entire operation inside your body
  • Post Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy urinary continence is maintained in 95% of patients and Erectile function can also be preserved in many men.

How long will it take to recover from Robotic Surgery?

In general, recovery is much shorter compared to traditional surgery. Depending on the procedure type and your overall health, you may:
  • Get out of bed shortly after the anaesthetic wears off.
  • Be able to eat within a few hours of surgery
  • Go home on the second day after your surgery

Is Robotic surgery better?

Robotic surgery isn’t ‘better” than other types of surgery. It’s one of many approaches, and Surgeons choose it on a case-by-case basis.

Is Robotic surgery painful?

You’ll be under general anaesthetic during your procedure, so you won’t feel anything. How much discomfort you have after surgery depends on a few factors, like which procedure you had and how well your body tolerates pain.

After surgery, it’s normal to have some discomfort. But most people report less bleeding and post-operative pain, and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery.