At Hackensack University Medical Center’s Department of Urology, our specialists use pioneering robotic techniques to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in patients with extremely enlarged glands requiring surgical intervention. BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that is common in older men and in many patients may lead to bothersome urinary symptoms and even urinary obstruction and bleeding.

Most patients with BPH can be treated with medication or a procedure requiring no incision. However, in a subset of patients where the prostate is too large, or the anatomy is not conducive to the standard therapies, we have developed a robotic surgical technique utilizing the principles of simple prostatectomy. Our surgeons’ commitment to improving quality of life for men with extremely enlarged prostate glands has advanced the field of robotic BPH treatment, with patients traveling from all over the East Coast to receive the latest robotic BPH care at Hackensack.

Our surgeons use state-of-the-art robotic technology, including the da Vinci Xi® Surgical System, to perform robotic simple prostatectomies. Our robotic technology, combined with innovative surgical approaches, allows our urologists to treat BPH through small incisions in the abdomen and bladder that minimize trauma to the body.

When compared to patients who have an open simple prostatectomy, which requires a large incision in the abdomen and significant blood loss, patients who have a robotic simple prostatectomy experience a faster recovery, a shorter hospital stay, minimal blood loss, less pain and a lower risk of complications after surgery.

Robotic simple prostatectomy procedures also allow our surgeons to simultaneously treat other bladder problems that may occur in patients who have a very large prostate gland, such as bladder diverticulum (an outpouch in the bladder wall that holds excess urine). Our innovative robotic techniques also allow our surgeons to reconstruct the bladder neck in a way that promotes optimal surgical results and healing.

Patients who have a robotic simple prostatectomy at Hackensack typically return home within one day of surgery and have their catheters removed 7-10 days later. The recovery period following a robotic simple prostatectomy is significantly shorter than the recovery period following an open simple prostatectomy, which usually requires a several-day hospital stay and use of a catheter for 2-3 weeks.

Diagnosing BPH

The prostate gland is found only in men; it is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body through the tip of the penis). As men age, their prostate gland grows. BPH occurs when the prostate gland becomes too large and squeezes or blocks the urethra.

If your doctor suspects that you may have BPH, he or she will conduct a complete exam, including a physical and rectal exam. Your doctor may order additional tests to rule out other health conditions, such as prostate cancer or other urinary problems.

Your doctor will create a customized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms, your overall health, and your personal preferences. In some cases, medication may be used to reduce the size of your prostate and treat your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend robotic surgery if your prostate is very large or if you have other complications.