New Robotic Surgery Technique Maintains Sexual
Function After Prostate Cancer Surgery
The SMART Technique (Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique) Enhances
Surgical Precision and Maintains Sexual Wellbeing After Prostate Cancer
Treatment
Dr. David Samadi, Vice Chairman, Department of Urology, and Chief of Robotics
and Minimally Invasive Surgery at The Mount Sinai Medical Center knows the wide
range of emotions and fears that men with prostate
cancer face. As a robotic
prostatectomy and prostate
cancer treatment expert, Dr. Samadi cares for the total patient, helping
them deal with all aspects of treatment, recovery and cure. Robotic
prostatectomy procedures, performed to remove the prostate gland and surrounding
cancer, can provide excellent cancer cure results, though many men fear the
potential side effects of the surgery. Top on their list of concerns: will they
be able to have and enjoy sex
after prostate cancer treatment?
Dr. Samadi understands this concern. “For most men, sexual function is
equally as important as eliminating prostate cancer. Many of their fears about
sex after surgery are carry-overs from what they know of older open and
laparoscopic prostatectomy techniques. Thanks to robotic
surgery, these fears can be greatly reduced.” Historically, the prostate
gland was removed through invasive surgery during which surgeons had a difficult
time sparing the tiny nerve bundles responsible for erectile and sexual
function. Often, a man’s ability to have sex after surgery was negatively
impacted. With the advent of robotic surgery techniques, experienced surgeons
like Dr. Samadi have an enhanced view of the prostate gland, allowing increased
precision and dexterity. As a result, the risk of damage to the nerves vital to
sexual function is significantly diminished.
When treating his prostate cancer patients, Dr. Samadi employs a
start-to-finish approach, including an individualized evaluation of sexual
function prior to surgery and on-going, post-surgical assessments of options to
aid the return of sexual function. “I consider robotic surgery successful when
the cancer is cured and the patient has full continence and potency. All three
criteria must be met for me to consider the surgery a success.” Dr. Samadi dubs
this whole-patient approach, “Treatment Trifecta.”
Dr. Samadi customizes robotic surgery with his own SMART
(Samadi Modified Advanced Robotic Technique) method. Using the da Vinci
System, the commonly recommended treatment for localized prostate cancer, Dr.
Samadi is able to perform highly precise movements at the surgical site:
cancerous tissue is cleanly removed and critical nerves are spared. By not
opening the surrounding fascia around the prostate and not suturing the dorsal
vein complex, Dr. Samadi has improved the quality of men’s post operative sex
life. Ultimately, this leads to faster recovery and an improved outlook for
regaining sexual function and urinary continence.
“Men want to know they can return to a normal life when this is all over.
They want the cancer gone and they want to move on and enjoy sex the way they
always have,” says Dr. Samadi. While the resumption of sexual potency can take
up to 12 months or more, Dr. Samadi assures patients that this is within the
normal course of recovery. His comprehensive approach to prostate cancer
treatment and sexual wellbeing continues beyond surgery. “It’s not uncommon for
men to experience some ED immediately following prostatectomy procedures, but
this is not an indication of their long-term sexual potency. I continue to work
with patients to achieve the complete results they desire.”
More can be seen from prostate cancer expert, Dr. Samadi, who is also part of
the Fox News Team.
Prostate
Cancer Treatment Options Compared: Robotic Surgery vs. Watchful Waiting
Robotic
Surgery on Good Day New York
Related Links:
Prostate Diaries 
Hi again,
The problem with the title is the lack of the word “might.” Obviously the technique might maintain sexual function, but quite possibly it might not. The problem with the article in general is that it is unbalanced, promoting the robotic procedure as if it is the best way to proceed for everyone, period. Of course, the savvy medical consumer already knows that self promotion is the true motivation behind most such articles. But, unfortunately, the average medical consumer is very un-savvy. Your book does address this problem, and you do seem to offer all options to your patients. However, as a physician surgeon who has had robotic surgery and was forced to plow through all the books and ask umpteen questions of my colleagues before arriving at a decision, I do not think the average non medical oriented patient can do the same. It is just to complex for the average person to understand all the possible treatments out there, especially while trying to also digest a sudden diagnosis of cancer. I’d love to see patients with a positive biopsy and a boatload of options also have what could best be described as a “big brother;” someone who has been in their shoes and can quietly and rationally discuss all the options they find so confusing. Let us know what you think of this idea. Now that I think of it, I would do this myself for a few patients, as (I think) would some of my other MD friends who have been down this road.
Thanks,
Jack
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Robotic surgery has been around for a while and is not NEW. The technique described may be different but the prostate gland still has to be removed and no matter what technique is used the nerves are disturbed. Disturbed nerves mean angry nerves that take time to cool down and heal. This all results in Erectile distress until normalization occurs. Surgeons with gentle hands achieve equally good results. Younger, healthy men regain sexual potency faster. Regaining potency would appear to be dependant on age and good technique when it comes to surgery.
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Bo-yah!… I agree! Jm
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