The Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza ('House for the relief of suffering' in English) in the city of San Giovanni Rotondo (Italian Region of Puglia) has successfully performed its first radical prostatectomy procedures with the assistance of a robot.

According to Antonio Cisternino, the head of the Operational Urology Unit of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, this represents "an exceptional result which benefits the patients".

In the medical and surgical field, this robot is the accomplishment of a minimally invasive and revolutionary technology. As it is the case for other surgical specialities, the system proves particularly innovative in urology too, in particular for the complete removal of the prostate. Indeed, the robot allows overcoming many deficiencies inherent in open prostatectomy and radical laparoscopy, the 'Casa Sollievo' indicates.

Furthermore, similarly to the aforementioned types of surgical procedures where robotics are being used, the robotic prostatectomy is minimally invasive, due to the use of high resolution TV cameras and surgical micro-tools.

In practice, the scalpels, scissors, electrocoagulators and electrocauterisation tools are installed on the four arms of the robot and can reach the affected organ through holes of 1-2 cm made in the patient's abdomen.

The same robot will be used in other surgical disciplines, among which are General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology. For the 'Casa Sollievo', the purchase of this sophisticated and rather costly equipment falls under a wider redevelopment project.  

Further information: 

• Official news article - sangiovannirotondo.it (in Italian)