Robotic & Laparoscopic Urologic Surgery
Since 1990, laparoscopic and more recently robotic surgery has become main stream as minimally invasive surgical alternatives for many urologic conditions including both benign and cancerous conditions. In most cases, laparoscopic and robotic surgery has resulted in:

• Less pain and scarring
• Less blood loss
• Fewer blood transfusions
• Less risk of infections
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster return to normal activities

Laparoscopic surgery allows a surgeon to perform complex procedures within the abdomen without having to place his hands directly into the body cavity. This is achieved by using miniaturized instruments placed through portals, called trocars, inserted through keyhole size incisions made in the abdomen.  The abdominal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide a working space for the surgeon to operate in.  Visualization of the internal anatomy is provided by a high definition, digital camera attached to a telescope lens inserted through one of the trocar sites. As the incision size tends to be smaller than for open surgery, postoperative pain is reduced in addition to blood loss and transfusions.

More recently, robotic surgery, introduced into the field of urology in 2000 has gradually supplanted many of the laparoscopic procedures due to advancements in visualization, ergonomics and instrumentation.  Robotic surgery using the da Vinci™ Surgical Robotic System provides distinct advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery. First, improved optical technology provides surgeons with not only a high definition, 10-12 X magnified view but also more specifically a three dimensional depth perception of the internal anatomy as compared to the two dimensional view offered by laparoscopic surgery.  Second instead of the rigid instruments used during laparoscopic surgery, advancements in multi-jointed robotic instruments allows the surgeon to operate with the same ergonomic freedom as using his hands and wrists thus providing greater range of motion of instrumentation.  Third, motion scaling technology allows for reduction in tremor and highly precise surgical dissection during robotic surgery. 

The UF department of urology surgeons have a cumulative experience of over 800 robotic surgeries including prostatectomy, radical and partial nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, adrenalectomy, nephroureterectomy, vasectomy reversal, and spermatic cord neurolysis. To view a comprehensive listing of all laparoscopic and robotic procedures performed by our surgeons, please visit the individual webpages listed below.

Prostate cancer

   • Robotic Nerve-sparing Radical Prostatectomy

Kidney cancer

   • Laparoscopic/Robotic Radical Nephrectomy
   • Laparoscopic/Robotic Partial Nephrectomy

Adrenal tumors

   • Laparoscopic/Robotic Adrenalectomy

Testis cancer

   • Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection

Kidney obstruction (aka ureteropelvic junction obstruction)

   • Laparoscopic/Robotic Pyeloplasty

Kidney cysts

   • Laparoscopic Renal Cyst Ablation

Male Infertility and Testicular Pain

   • Robotic vasovasostomy   
   • Robotic vasoepididymostomy   
   • Robotic testicular sperm extraction
   • Robotic spermatic cord neurolysis

Vaginal Prolapse and Incontinence

   • Robotic Sacralcolpopexy

At the University of Florida, Department of Urology, robotic and laparoscopic surgery is performed by several experienced surgeons, all of whom received one to three years of advanced fellowship-training in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

	Benjamin K. Canales, MD, MPH Assistant Professor of Urology
	Scott M. Gilbert, MD, MS Assistant Professor of Urologic Oncology Medical Director, Urology Quality & Safety Program
	Louis Moy, MD Assistant Professor Director, Female Urology & Reconstructive Surgery
	Sijo J. Parekattil, MD Co-Director of Robotic Surgery Director of Male Infertility and Microsurgery Assistant Professor of Urology Adjunct Professor of Bio-Engineering
	Li-Ming Su, MD David A. Cofrin Professor of Urology Associate Chairman of Clinical Affairs Chief, Division of Robotic & Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery

Our robotics program is supported by a team of dedicated OR staff members including nurses, surgical assistants, technicians, and nurse practitioners.

	Hany Atalah Clinical Lecturer; Instructor for Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery
	Lisa D. Meyer, ARNP Robotics Clinical Coordinator

 

Appointments

GU Oncology Center
To schedule an appointment of refer a patient, please call (352) 265-8282.

General Urology
To schedule an appointment of refer a patient, please call (352) 265-8240.

Male Infertility
To schedule an appointment of refer a patient, please call (352) 265-6200.

Clinic Visits
Medical Plaza Urology Clinics 2000 S.W. Archer Road Gainesville, Florida 32610 Phone: (352) 265-8240 Fax: (352) 265-8236 After 5PM or on weekends, if you have a problem, call Shands Hospital (352) 265-0111 and ask for the Urologist on call. If you have an emergency, as always, go to your nearest Emergency Room or phone 911.