title: Care of the patient undergoing robotic-assisted prostatectomy.
abstract: Prostate cancer has many treatment options. In addition to open retropubic and perineal approaches to radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic robotic prostatectomy is available as a newer surgical option. Potential advantages of robotic surgery include reduced pain and trauma, less blood loss, reduced infection risk, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and less scarring (Intuitive Surgical, 2005). A variety of nursing care considerations involving pre-operative education and preparation, intra-operative and immediate postoperative care issues, and long-term followup must be understood to meet the needs of a robotic surgical patient. Patient selection is very important to optimize a positive surgical outcome. Just as certain criteria make a good surgical candidate, there are factors that could complicate the surgery or adversely affect recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Starnes
authors.forename: Terran Warren
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Sims
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D006804:Ergonomics; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000451:nursing