Robotic Urology Surgery

Houston Methodist prides itself on being a leader in robotic urological surgery. Innovative approaches and years of experience make Houston Methodist one of the top institutions for minimally invasive treatment of numerous urological diseases using robotic technology.

Our specialists offer innovative surgical options aided by cutting-edge technologies facilitating superior outcomes. We have one of the country’s most advanced robotic operating rooms, providing an optimal environment for the most complex surgeries.

Houston Methodist’s experts use the daVinci® Surgical System, which provides greater precision and visibility, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery than traditional surgery.

We perform robotic surgery for:

• Prostate removal, or prostatectomy
• Partial and full kidney removal, or nephrectomy
• Bladder removal and reconstruction
• Ureteral reconstruction
• Pelvic floor reconstruction
• Lymph node dissection for testis cancer

Prostate Removal
Houston Methodist’s unparalleled skill makes robotic surgery a viable option, even in high-risk patients, including those who have had prior surgery or treatment. Radical prostatectomy often is challenging in high-risk cases because tissue damage and scarring from radiation makes it difficult to remove the prostate. However, robotic technology improves visualization and precision, allowing the surgeon to navigate and resect the prostate while minimizing risk to adjacent organs.

Partial and Full Kidney Removal
We lead the way in performing partial nephrectomy for small tumors, as well as larger masses, solitary kidneys and multiple tumors. Our surgeons’ advanced robotic experience allows them to resect tumors while saving the rest of the kidney. This is critical for patients with limited renal function who cannot tolerate full kidney removal. For patients who requiring full kidney removal, our experts can perform the procedure using minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic techniques.

Houston Methodist is the only facility in the region to offer robotic retroperitoneoscopic surgery, which approaches the kidney from the back rather than through the abdomen. This approach may be more effective for patients with abdominal scars from previous surgeries or tumors on or near the back of the kidney.

Some tumors grow out of the kidney and into the vena cava (a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood into the heart), creating a caval thrombus, or blood clot. Our surgeons were the first in the region to use robotic surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruct the vena cava.

Ureteral Reconstruction
Houston Methodist’s specialists perform upper- and lower-tract ureteral reconstructions using robotic surgery. Pyeloplasty (upper tract) involves removing the narrowed section of the tube that drains the kidney and reconnects the ureter. Ureteral re-implant surgery (lower tract) involves reconstructing the lower section of the ureter to restore proper drainage.

Bladder Removal and Reconstruction
Invasive bladder cancer requires removal of the bladder, prostate and lymph nodes in the pelvis. Houston Methodist’s surgeons are among few worldwide who can perform this complicated removal and urinary reconstruction robotically, including creation of a neobladder, or bladder substitute.

Lymph Node Dissection for Testis Cancer
Surgical resection may be the best treatment for high-risk or locally advanced testis cancer. Houston Methodist is the forerunner in using robotic surgery to perform retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, a procedure to remove abdominal lymph nodes to treat testicular cancer.

Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
Houston Methodist surgeons are highly proficient in using robotic surgery to repair weakened pelvic muscles and ligaments that have caused a woman’s bladder, uterus or rectum to fall or bulge into her vagina. A robotic sacrocolpopexy restores pelvic anatomy by attaching the vagina with graft material to a strong ligament near the sacral promontory, or tailbone.

Uterosacral ligament suspension can restore support to the uterus or vaginal vault, the top of the vagina in a woman who has had a hysterectomy. Because the uterosacral ligaments can tear or weaken during pregnancy and delivery, this can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse. Uterosacral ligament suspension involves attaching the uterosacral ligaments to the top of the vagina to restore normal support there. When this procedure is performed robotically, the technique allows for clear visualization of the ureters (the tubes that drain the kidneys), which typically are at risk for damage during pelvic reconstruction.

Robotic uterosacral ligament suspension can be combined with cystectomy, hysterectomy and other procedures for prolapse or incontinence.