Since 2005, the preferred treatment of prostate cancer at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento/Sutter Cancer Center, and around the world, is a surgical procedure called the da Vinci® prostatectomy. And from 2008 and on more than 70 percent of prostate cancer surgeries are performed robotically.

Whereas traditional radical prostatectomy requires an eight- to ten-inch incision, the da Vinci® technique uses robotic technology and a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach to remove the prostate gland.

The following table looks at patient outcomes following surgery for prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy), and compares "best in class" data from two types of surgery. As you can see, da Vinci® prostatectomy shows measurable advantages as compared to conventional open surgery performed through large incisions.

Average Outcomes for da Vinci vs. Open Surgery
Outcome Cancer Control T2 Margin status Complications Estimated Blood Loss (EBL) Length of Stay Urinary Central 3 Month 6 Month 12 Month Sexual Function	da Vinic 2.5 109 ml 1.2 days 92.9% 94.9% 97.4% 86%	Open 5.9 1355 ml 3 days 54% 80% 93% 71%

The da Vinci® prostatectomy incorporates a technically advanced surgical system that helps your surgeon see vital anatomical structures more clearly and to perform a more precise surgical procedure.

For most patients, the da Vinci® prostatectomy offers numerous potential benefits over open prostatectomy including a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss with lower risk of transfusions, less scarring, faster recovery, and quicker return to normal activities.

Why Choose Sutter

Patients from the Sacramento region and around the country choose to have their da Vinici surgery at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento/Sutter Cancer Center (SMCS). Why choose SMCS for your da Vinic surgery?

• SMCS is the regional leader in robotic surgery and performs a variety of urologic and gynecological surgeries using robotic surgery;
• Medical Director of Robotic Cancer Surgery, Brian Naftulin, M.D., has performed more than 400 prostatectomies using da Vinci;
• We have a dedicated surgery team for da Vinci surgeries;
• We have the region’s only fellowship trained robotic urologic surgeon;
• Integrated cancer support services including chemotherapy, radiation oncology, medical oncology, cancer prevention, support groups and education;
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento/Sutter Cancer Center was awarded with the American College of Surgeons 2008 Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award

da Vinci® Prostatectomy Surgeons

The following physicians are trained and actively perform da Vinci® prostatectomies:

	Brian Naftulin, M.D., Medical Director of Robotic Cancer Surgery at Sutter Cancer Center
	Jonathan Eandi, M.D., Fellowship Trained in Urologic Robotic Oncology
	Kiumars R. Hekmat, M.D., Board Certified in Oncology
	Carolina Alvayay, M.D., Urologist

Are you a Candidate?

• You have been told by your physician that you have localized prostate cancer that has not spread
• You are a candidate for open surgery
• You have not had multiple prior abdominal surgeries

Contact Us

To learn more about this treatment, call the Sutter Cancer Center toll-free at 1-866-827-6164 or call one of our physicians directly.

In addition to prostate cancer, Sutter Medical Center uses robotic surgery for other procedures including renal cancer, hysterectomies, uterine disease and incontinence treatment.

For more information, see The da Vinci® Surgical System. More information about prostate cancer is available in our Health Information Library. Also see Prostate Seed Therapy for prostate cancer treatment. Additional information is also available from the National Cancer Institute www.cancer.gov and the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.