Prostate Cancer Surgery
Robotic Radical Prostatectomy
A radical prostatectomy removes the entire prostate gland and the seminal vesicles to treat prostate cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate region. In the robotic-assisted approach, the operation is performed through several small incisions in the lower abdomen using instruments controlled by the surgeon from a console. The robotic system does not operate on its own. It translates the surgeon's hand movements into fine movements of the instruments inside the body and provides a magnified, three-dimensional view.
Overview
Depending on the location and extent of the cancer, the surgeon may preserve the nerve bundles that run alongside the prostate, which are involved in erectile function, and may remove nearby pelvic lymph nodes to check whether cancer has reached them. Whether nerve-sparing and lymph node removal are appropriate is decided for each patient based on biopsy results, MRI findings, PSA and other factors.
Who May Be a Candidate
Whether this treatment is appropriate is an individual decision made with your care team. In general it may be considered for:
- Prostate cancer that appears confined to the prostate or the immediately surrounding tissue on imaging and biopsy.
- Patients who have reviewed the full range of options with their care team, which can include active surveillance, radiation therapy and focal therapy, and for whom surgery is a reasonable choice.
- Patients healthy enough to undergo general anesthesia and a two to three hour operation.
- Some patients with more advanced disease, as part of a broader treatment plan that may include radiation or hormonal therapy.
What Is Typically Involved
- 1A pre-operative visit with blood work, review of imaging and a meeting with the anesthesia team.
- 2Surgery under general anesthesia, typically lasting two to three hours, with a hospital stay of one night for most patients.
- 3A urinary catheter for roughly one to two weeks while the connection between the bladder and urethra heals.
- 4A pathology report describing the removed tissue, usually available within one to two weeks.
- 5A first PSA blood test about six to twelve weeks after surgery, followed by PSA checks at intervals set by the care team.
- 6Pelvic floor exercises to support the return of urinary control, and a plan for sexual function recovery discussed before and after surgery.
A more detailed, plain-language guide to preparing for and recovering from this surgery, in English and Spanish, is in the Robotic Prostatectomy patient guide.
Questions Patients Often Ask
Does the robot perform the operation?
No. The surgeon performs every step of the operation. The robotic system holds the instruments and camera and reproduces the surgeon's hand movements at a smaller scale inside the body, with tremor filtered out. It has no independent function.
How long will I be in the hospital?
Most patients go home the day after surgery. Some go home the same day and some stay longer, depending on how they recover and on other medical conditions. Your care team will tell you what to expect for your situation.
Will I have a catheter afterward?
Yes. A urinary catheter is placed during surgery and usually stays in for about one to two weeks while the new connection between the bladder and the urethra heals. Your team will show you how to care for it at home and will remove it at a follow-up visit.
What about urinary control and erections after surgery?
Both can be affected. Urinary leakage is common in the first weeks and usually improves over months, and pelvic floor exercises support that recovery. Erectile function recovery varies widely and depends on age, function before surgery, and whether the nerve bundles could be preserved. Your surgeon will discuss what is realistic in your case before surgery rather than afterward.
When will I know whether the cancer was fully removed?
The pathology report, usually available within one to two weeks, describes the grade and extent of the cancer in the removed tissue and whether the edges were clear. The first PSA test, about six to twelve weeks after surgery, adds further information. Follow-up PSA testing continues for years.
Related Procedures
Discuss Your Options
This page is general information and is not a recommendation for any individual. To discuss whether this treatment is appropriate for you, request a consultation through UHealth or call (305) 243-6090. Please do not send personal health information through this website.
Request an AppointmentEducational content reviewed by Archan Khandekar, MD. Last updated 2026-09-19. This material is general in nature, does not constitute medical advice, and does not create a physician-patient relationship. Individual care decisions should be made with your own treating physicians.
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Dr. Khandekar sees patients across the University of Miami Health System and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Request an appointment for urologic oncology care.