Each page below covers a specific robotic urological operation - what it is, who it suits, how it is done, and what the published evidence says. The robot is an access and reconstruction tool; the underlying condition still drives the decision.
Removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles for localised prostate cancer, with nerve-sparing options where appropriate.
KidneyTumour-only resection with preservation of healthy kidney tissue. Standard of care for most small renal masses.
KidneyWhole-kidney removal when partial nephrectomy is not feasible or not oncologically appropriate.
Upper tractReconstruction of the pelvi-ureteric junction for symptomatic UPJ obstruction.
AdrenalRemoval of an adrenal gland for hormonally active, growing or suspicious adrenal masses.
BladderRemoval of the bladder for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, with urinary diversion.
PlatformNewer platform that delivers three instruments and a camera through a single 2.5 cm port.
A rough guide to current evidence compared with equivalent open or laparoscopic operations. "→" indicates where published series and systematic reviews consistently report a benefit of the robotic approach for that endpoint.3,4,5
| Procedure | Blood loss | Length of stay | Time to recovery | Oncologic / functional outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic prostatectomy | → lower than open | → shorter than open | → faster | Comparable to open in large series; nerve-sparing technique suited to robotic visualisation. |
| Partial nephrectomy | → lower than open | → shorter than open | → faster | Comparable oncologic control; warm ischaemia time driven by tumour complexity and surgeon experience. |
| Radical nephrectomy | Similar or lower than laparoscopic | Similar to laparoscopic | Similar to laparoscopic | Comparable oncologic control; robotic advantage mainly in complex cases (T3, hilar, caval). |
| Pyeloplasty | → very low | → short | → faster than open | Published long-term patency >95% in large series. |
| Adrenalectomy | → lower than open | → shorter than open | → faster | Comparable to laparoscopic; robotic advantage mainly in larger, hilar or right-sided tumours. |
| Cystectomy | → lower than open | Similar to open | Similar to open | Comparable oncologic outcomes; intracorporeal diversion benefits most from robotic access. |
Every patient is different. These comparisons summarise group-level evidence; a second-opinion consultation is the right forum to discuss individual trade-offs.
You can request a second opinion on imaging, staging and treatment options before you decide. General information only; not individual medical advice.