Minimally Invasive Surgery / Robotic Urologic Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery in urology is part of the cutting edge of surgery offered by the urologists at The University of Kansas Medical Center. This technique involves using optical magnifying scopes through small incisions in the body called ports to remove diseased organs or correct urologic problems. The Department of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center has one of the few fellowship trained minimally invasive urological surgeons in the Kansas City area.

 Dr. David Duchene is one of two fellowship trained minimally invasive urological surgeons in the Kansas City metro and uses his large experience and expertise to treat patients in the Department of Urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  Our urologic surgeons are very experienced in endourological, laparoscopic, and robotic techniques which can result in less pain, faster return to work, and less scarring than traditional "open surgery". From operations as complex as robotic radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephrectomy, robotic partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephroureterectomy, robotic cystectomy, and robotic pyeloplasty to repair of kidney blockages, to kidney stone techniques with ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, the urologists at KU have one of the largest experiences with these techniques in the Kansas City area.

 Dr. Brantley Thrasher performs robotic radical prostatectomy.  Dr. David Duchene performs robotic radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephrectomy, robotic partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephroureterectomy, robotic pyeloplasty, robotic ureteral reimplantation, and percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.  Dr. Jeffrey Holzbeierlein performs laparoscopic/robotic nephrectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephroureterectomy, and robotic cystectomy.  Dr. Moben Mirza performs robotic radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephrectomy, robotic partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic/robotic nephroureterectomy, and robotic cystectomy.  Dr. Ajay Nangia performs percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

Building on these procedures, our physicians are exploring newer options using robotics, laparoscopy, and minimally invasive surgery to improve patient care. The ultimate goal is to minimize discomfort for our patients and to return them to their normal activities as soon as possible. The Department of Urology is the first in the region to use the new Da Vinci Si system.  Our providers, Dr. Brantley Thrasher and Dr. David Duchene are leaders in the field, specializing in high volume robotic surgery--especially prostatectomy for prostate cancer.  Our robotic surgery program is the most experienced in the Kansas City metro area.  With two robotic systems, expert surgeons, and highly trained robotic surgery teams, we are continually expanding our services and quickly becoming a high volume center for newer procedures like robotic partial nephrectomy, robotic nephroureterctomy and robotic cystectomy.

da Vinci Si

Launched in April 2009, the da Vinci Si introduces several enabling features, including:

• Enhanced high-definition 3D vision for superior clinical capability
• An updated user interface for streamlined setup and OR turnover
• Extensibility for digital OR integration
• Dual-console capability to support training and collaboration during minimally invasive surgery.

The da Vinci Si System retains and builds on the core technology at the heart of the existing da Vinci and da Vinci S^™ Systems:

• Advanced 3D HD visualization with up to 10x magnification and an immersive view of the operative field
• EndoWrist^® instrumentation with dexterity and range of motion far greater than even the human hand
• Intuitive^® motion technology, which replicates the experience of open surgery by preserving natural eye-hand-instrument alignment and intuitive instrument control

Together, these technological advancements provide da Vinci surgeons with unparalleled precision, dexterity and control that enable a minimally invasive approach to many complex surgical procedures.

Read More About the da Vinci Si System's Features and Benefits

Video

• Nephrectomy Watch a Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

• da Vinci Prostatectomy Robotic surgery for Prostate Cancer