At McLaren-Flint we offer advanced care to achieve superior outcomes. The response from our patients has been truly remarkable. When given the choice, most of our prostatectomy patients prefer to have a robotic prostatectomy rather than the traditional open procedure. Although all patients are different, our patients tend to have remarkable results after robotic surgery compared to traditional surgery. Some of these results may include:

• Excellent cancer outcomes due to the removal of the prostate
• The ability to achieve an erection sufficient for sexual penetration
• The ability to control urination without having to wear padsPatients can return to their normal activities (work, golfing, playing with the grandkids, spending time with the family)

Increased surgical precision, with the da Vinci® Surgical System, allows Dr. Rutila to accurately remove the cancer. When the cancer is completely removed, there is no longer a high level of PSA in the bloodstream. The earliest sign that there may be a cancer recurrence following prostatectomy is the presence of PSA in the blood.

Before surgery, the overriding concern for most patients is always cancer cure. The next very important concern is erectile function. Of patients with no pre-existing erectile dysfunction who underwent a robotic radical prostatectomy incorporating a new nerve sparking technique, most achieved erections strong enough for intercourse or their erections were normal. While individual outcomes may vary, these results should help ease men's concerns as to the future of their sexual potency when facing prostate removal. 

Returning to Urinary Continence

Being incontinent can affect patients psychologically, emotionally and socially. Urine is kept in the bladder with a muscle valve. After prostate surgery muscle tissue that forms this valve or the nerves that keep the muscles working can be damaged. Men with incontinence after surgery usually leak urine only when they cough, laugh, sneeze, or exercise. Most often these symptoms are relieved within three months after surgery. Patients that have undergone robotic surgery typically have fewer problems with incontinence then patients that have traditional open surgery.