Robotic Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgery allows surgeons to perform complex, minimally-invasive surgical procedures with precision, and accuracy through small keyhole incisions

The da Vinci Surgical System consists of:

The surgeon is in complete control of the robot

• The da Vinci® surgical system gives the surgeon a various set of instruments to use in performing robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. The term “robotic” can be misleading as the robots does not perform any intervention. The surgeon performs the surgery using instruments that are controlled via a console.

• The da Vinci system translates the surgeon’s hand movements at the console in real time, bending and rotating the instruments while performing the procedure. The small articulated instruments move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. The instrument size makes it possible for surgeons to operate through one or a few small incisions. The camera used provides the surgeon with a magnified, 3D high-definition views of the surgical field.

“Improved Technology for the Surgeon, Better Outcomes for the Patient”

• The da vinci Robotic platform allows the surgeon to operate from an ergonomic, seated position at the console. To move the instruments or to reposition the camera, the surgeon simply moves his/her hands.

• The 3D camera provides the surgeons with superior vision compared to standard laparoscopic or open surgery.

• The console and the instruments give an enhanced dexterity, greater precision and ergonomic comfort which is critical for complex and delicate dissection or reconstruction.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery

There are significant benefits to both the patient and surgeon when it comes to using the Da Vinci Surgical Robot.

Surgeon benefits include:

• Better visualization

• Enhanced dexterity

• Greater precision

Patient benefits include:

• Significantly less pain and discomfort

• Quicker recovery time and return to usual activities

• Shorter hospital stay

• Minimal scarring

• Less complications

• Less blood loss

• Less risk of infection

The most common robotic urologic procedures include:

Prostate Surgery

• Radical Prostatectomy (Prostate Cancer)

• Simple Prostatectomy (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

Kidney Surgery

• Radical Nephrectomy (Kidney Cancer)

• Partial Nephrectomy (Kidney Cancer)

Bladder Surgery

• Radical Cystectomy (Bladder cancer)

Ureter Surgery

• Pyeloplasty (surgical reconstruction of the renal pelvis) = Ureteropelvic Junction (UPJ) obstruction

• Ureteral excision (stricture, stone, tumor) and /or ureteral re-implantation (fix the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys)

Dr Hueber’s robotic training and experience

Dr Hueber initially trained in Robotic Surgery on the da Vinci Robot at the CHUM, University of Montreal, Canada, during his years of Urology specialty training under the supervision of Dr Kevin Zorn. He completed various research projects on Robotic Radical Prostatectomy that have been published in the leading International urology journals including the Canadian Association Urology Journal, the American Journal of Urology and the World Journal of Urology.

Dr Hueber then undertook an additional two years of training in Advanced Robotic Surgery at the University of Southern California from world leading robotic urology surgeons, Dr Inderbir Gill, Dr Mihir Desai, Dr Monish Aron and Dr Rene Sotelo. During his time at USC, he performed well over 500 robotic surgery procedures and assisted with live televised surgery in Europe, South America and the United States.