Robotic urological surgery - Sydney
Precise, minimally invasive surgery across the urinary tract
Dr Raji Kooner is a urological surgeon in Sydney with a longstanding interest in robotic surgery. He performed the first robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in New South Wales, the first robot-assisted adrenalectomy in Australia, the first robot-assisted nephrectomy for kidney cancer in Australia, and the first four-arm robot-assisted pyeloplasty. This site explains how the da Vinci robotic platform is used in urology, which procedures it suits, and what to expect around your operation.
Short introduction to Dr Kooner's work with the da Vinci robot.
Pioneering firsts in Australian robotic urology
Factual milestones that sit behind the current program. Full references on the evidence page.
Prostate - NSW
First robot-assisted radical prostatectomy in New South Wales.
Adrenal - Australia
First robot-assisted adrenalectomy performed in Australia.
Kidney - Australia
First robot-assisted nephrectomy for kidney cancer in Australia.
Pyeloplasty - four arm
First four-arm robot-assisted pyeloplasty for reconstruction of the renal pelvis.
Why surgeons use the robot
Four features combine to make robotic access attractive for many urological operations.3,4
10x 3D vision
The operating console shows a magnified, stereoscopic view of the surgical field - far more detail than the naked eye.
Wristed instruments
Instrument tips articulate with more degrees of freedom than the human wrist, which matters in deep or reconstructive work.
Gas-insufflated field
The pneumoperitoneum compresses small veins and keeps the field dry, which reduces blood loss compared with open surgery.
Procedures covered
Each procedure page summarises what the operation involves, who it suits, and what the evidence says. All self-contained; no login required.
Robotic prostatectomy
Removal of the prostate for localised prostate cancer, with nerve-sparing options where appropriate.
KidneyRobotic partial nephrectomy
Tumour-only resection that preserves healthy kidney. Standard of care for many small renal masses.
KidneyRobotic radical nephrectomy
Whole-kidney removal when partial nephrectomy is not feasible, including complex cases with caval involvement.
Upper tractRobotic pyeloplasty
Reconstruction of the pelvi-ureteric junction for UPJ obstruction, with high long-term patency.
AdrenalRobotic adrenalectomy
Removal of an adrenal gland for hormone-producing or suspicious adrenal masses.
BladderRobotic cystectomy
Removal of the bladder and reconstruction of urinary diversion for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
PlatformSingle-port robotic surgery
Newer platform that works through a single incision. Detailed guide on singleportrobot.com.au.
BackgroundThe da Vinci platform
Xi, SP and older generations - what the robot actually is and how it is used.
How it worksHow robotic surgery works
Telemanipulation, wristed instruments, 3D optics and the role of the bedside assistant.
Conditions treated
The robot is an access and reconstruction tool. The underlying condition still drives the clinical decision.
Prostate cancer
Localised and locally advanced prostate cancer where surgery is an option.
Kidney cancer
Renal cell carcinoma, from small renal masses to complex T3 tumours.
UPJ obstruction
Narrowing at the junction of the renal pelvis and ureter, often congenital.
Adrenal lesions
Functioning tumours, suspicious masses and larger incidentalomas.
Bladder cancer
Muscle-invasive and high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
About your specialist
Dr Raji Kooner is a Sydney urological surgeon based at Urology NSW. He led the early robotic urology program at St Vincent's in Sydney, and has performed robotic prostate, kidney, adrenal and reconstructive surgery since the platform first arrived in the country. Over 3000 robotic cases have been performed at the program, with Dr Kooner personally performing a substantial proportion.
A full biography, publications list and curriculum vitae are on rajikooner.com.au. To reach the rooms, use contact and locations or request a second opinion.