The Siriraj prostatectomy surgery team, led by Assistant Professors Prasit Watanapha Siriraj and Chaiyong Nualyong, yesterday used the robotic surgery technology - called da Vinci S - which is designed to improve the removal of the prostate gland.

Traditional prostate surgery requires a long incision in the stomach that creates significant trauma, extended hospitalisation and a lengthy recovery time, with several possible side-effects, including impotence, Chaiyong said.

The new surgery system could provide surgeons with all the clinical capabilities of traditional open surgery, while enabling them to operate through tiny incisions of less than a centimetre.

It apparently results in reduced pain, blood loss and risk of infection, faster recovery and a greater chance of avoiding impotence.

The da Vinci S consists of a surgeon's console, four interactive robotic arms, a high-solution 3D endoscope and image-processing equipment.

While removing the prostate gland, doctors have a better view of the nerves that control a man's ability to gain an erection, due to highly magnified pictures via real-time footage, Chaiyong said.

This US technology cost about Bt75 million, which was funded by the Siriraj Foundation, Prasit said.

The technology is also going to be used at the Bangkok Hospital, which is planning to broadcast a prostate operation to Police General Hospital next Monday.

The Siriraj patient, Leng Phumiprasert, 70, said he felt only slight pain after the two-hour operation.

"It's not like surgery at all," he said.

Males over 50 are encouraged to add a prostate-cancer test to their annual medical check-up to detect the condition early. "At an early stage, it is likely to be completely cured with proper treatment," Chaiyong said. 

Ninnete Surarat

The Nation