Robotic Radical Prostatectomy - STEP 5- Bladder Neck Transection

The following video will highlight the technique of robotic anterior and posterior bladder neck division/transection. This is video 5 of 10 in a series focused on robotic radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer.

One of the difficult aspects of robotic prostatectomy is the bladder neck divsion. In this component of surgery, the robotic surgeon must accurately divide the junction of the prostate and the bladder. Care must be made not to enter the prostate and leave a positive surgical margin as well as dissect too large of a bladder neck. Too large of a bladder opening may injure the ureters (tubes which drain urine from the kidneys) and make the anastamosis later in the procedure to the ureter extremely difficult due to size discrepency. Surgeon experience is of paramount importance to ensure optimal results for cancer care and continence.

Video by Dr Kevin Zorn.