Robotic Surgery

Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic surgery is the new and less invasive surgery for the removal of prostate cancer. The procedure involves a state of the art surgical system which gives the Surgeon 3D vision and 360 degree dexterity with the instruments, which is far more advanced than in standard laparoscopic surgery. This system allows the Surgeon to see the anatomical structures more clearly and make the surgery more precise than ever before, thus making techniques such as nerve sparing for potency easier to perform, with potentially better results than other more invasive approaches.

Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy has been performed in Tauranga since 2000, so robotic assistance is a natural progression for our site. (Wilson L, Kennett K, Gilling P. Laparascopic Radical Prostatectomy: An Analysis of the Learning Curve. ANZ J Surg 2004; 74:1065-1068)

Robotic surgery is new to New Zealand but the same system is used throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and many other centres world wide. The robotic system was introduced in 1999 and is now the standard practice in the US for prostatectomies (60-70% in 2008).

The first robotic surgery in New Zealand was carried out at Grace Hospital in Tauranga on 3 September 2007 by Australian Surgeon Peter Sutherland. The first robotic surgery by a New Zealand Surgeon was also done at Grace Hospital in Tauranga by Peter Gilling on 16 November 2007.

From our local surgical experience and studies world wide, it has shown that in the majority of cases hospital stay is shorter (an average of 24 hours), less pain relief is required post-operatively, there is less blood loss and quicker return to daily activities. In the US, research suggests that the return of continence and potency is at least equal to the best results achieved by open radical prostatectomy.

Our Robot Surgical team consists of two Urologists, Peter Gilling and Liam Wilson, Surgical Assistant and Data Manager Jo Pickford, scrub nurse specialists Stephanie Pringle and Jo Dunstan supported by Theatre Manager Ingrid Fisher. Our non-surgical robot team consists of Kim Inskeep, Clinical Manager, who organises the patient experience and Helen Morgan, Business Manager, who looks after the financial aspects of the business.

Promed Urology has a national and international reputation for the treatment of cancers, laser surgery and female urology. Paediatric conditions, erectile dysfunction and urinary stone disease are also special interest of our group.