Here are the steps involved in a robotic cystectomy procedure:

1. Preparation: Before the surgery, you will be given general anesthesia to put you to sleep. Your doctor will also place a catheter in your bladder to drain urine.
2. Incision: The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen and inserts robotic arms through these incisions. The robotic arms are equipped with surgical instruments, cameras, and lights.
3. Robotic surgery: The surgeon controls the robotic arms from a console located in the operating room. The console provides a high-definition 3D view of the surgical field, allowing the surgeon to perform the surgery with precision and accuracy.
4. Bladder removal: The surgeon uses the robotic arms to carefully remove the bladder, taking care to avoid damaging surrounding organs and tissues. The surgeon also removes any nearby lymph nodes that may be affected by cancer.
5. Urinary diversion: After the bladder is removed, the surgeon creates a new pathway for urine to leave the body. This may involve creating a new bladder using a portion of the intestine or creating a stoma (an opening in the abdominal wall) for urine to pass through.
6. Closure: The surgeon closes the incisions with sutures or staples and covers them with sterile dressings.
7. Recovery: After the surgery, you will be monitored closely in the recovery room to make sure there are no complications. You may need to stay in the hospital for several days to recover. You may experience some pain, discomfort, and fatigue after the surgery, but these symptoms can usually be managed with medication.

Robotic cystectomy is a highly advanced and effective surgical technique for removing the bladder in patients with bladder cancer. It offers many benefits over traditional open surgery, including less pain, less blood loss, and faster recovery times. However, it may not be suitable for all patients, depending on the size and location of the tumor, as well as other factors such as the patient’s overall health and medical history. TX Hospitals doctors will help to determine if robotic cystectomy is the right treatment option for you.