need feedback on da Vinci surgical system out comes real experience vs 8" incision so invasive pros

love for the best dad
love for the best dad Member Posts: 1
in Kidney Cancer #1
Has any one had the da Vinci Surgical System procedure used for kidney tumor removal? It is the "GOLD STANDARD treatment" for kidney cancer, less invasive, less down time 2-3 days in hospital, less blood loss, more percise tumor removal and kidney reconstruction, excellent chance in preserving the kidney and low rate of complications. It is on a robotic platform offer minimally invasive option for major surgery. I researched this info it is not new to the market been around since 03 or earlier has three small incisions used with 3D imaging so will be much more percise. Please give me any information on pros and cons this surgical guy my Dad was referred to did not recommend he said he wanted "to get in and get out" "loose to much blood" he stated with laproscopic surgery but this is not laproscopic please help any feedback would be greatly appreciated his tumor is 7cm right upper kidney found by accident. He has not been symptomatic. His surgury scheduled for 1-10-12. ANY kidney tumor success stories out there using da Vinci Surgical System and if so any well experience Surgical nephrologis comfortable with the da Vinci surgical system with excellent outcomes in Southeast area e.g. Birmingham, Huntsville, AL or Nashville,TN area that is world renound sp? or highly recommended great success rate with early diagnosis.

Comments

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #2
    I haven't experienced it but
    I haven't experienced it but I had laparoscopic surgery that had to be switched, midstream, to open surgery at one of the world-leading hospitals both for this innovative robotic surgery and also for cancer care. Go for it - it's the whole future of surgery.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #3
    Texas_wedge said:

    I haven't experienced it but
    I haven't experienced it but I had laparoscopic surgery that had to be switched, midstream, to open surgery at one of the world-leading hospitals both for this innovative robotic surgery and also for cancer care. Go for it - it's the whole future of surgery.

    da Vinci robot
    In the thread entitled 3" mass in kidney (now on page 2 of this kidney cancer forum) there's a message from JINGLE99 who had a nephrectomy recently by the da Vinci. You might want to try to make contact with that person to get their opinion? If you're not sure how to find the message or contact the person, please say and I, or someone else here will help you.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #4
    Texas_wedge said:

    I haven't experienced it but
    I haven't experienced it but I had laparoscopic surgery that had to be switched, midstream, to open surgery at one of the world-leading hospitals both for this innovative robotic surgery and also for cancer care. Go for it - it's the whole future of surgery.

    da Vinci robot
    In the thread entitled 3" mass in kidney (now on page 2 of this kidney cancer forum) there's a message from JINGLE99 who had a nephrectomy recently by the da Vinci. You might want to try to make contact with that person to get their opinion? If you're not sure how to find the message or contact the person, please say and I, or someone else here will help you.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #5
    Texas_wedge said:

    da Vinci robot
    In the thread entitled 3" mass in kidney (now on page 2 of this kidney cancer forum) there's a message from JINGLE99 who had a nephrectomy recently by the da Vinci. You might want to try to make contact with that person to get their opinion? If you're not sure how to find the message or contact the person, please say and I, or someone else here will help you.

    daVinci
    The posting I mentioned reads:

    "November 4, 2011 - 12:20pm

    Getting back to "normal ".

    We have a few things in common, I myself also had kidney cancer.Surgery was October 20th,
    3" mass was found by accident on left kidney. Da vinci robotic surgery was preformed,removed only 5 percent of kidney.Mass had grow to the outer part of kidney.Wished i would of found this sight eariler,been searching the internet for any and everthing on kidney cancer.Well "Georgia Bulldogs" is looking pretty good !! I also live in Georgia.. But I'm a Gamecock Girl.. Wish you and your family the best.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #6
    Texas_wedge said:

    daVinci
    The posting I mentioned reads:

    "November 4, 2011 - 12:20pm

    Getting back to "normal ".

    We have a few things in common, I myself also had kidney cancer.Surgery was October 20th,
    3" mass was found by accident on left kidney. Da vinci robotic surgery was preformed,removed only 5 percent of kidney.Mass had grow to the outer part of kidney.Wished i would of found this sight eariler,been searching the internet for any and everthing on kidney cancer.Well "Georgia Bulldogs" is looking pretty good !! I also live in Georgia.. But I'm a Gamecock Girl.. Wish you and your family the best.

    da Vinci
    A couple of years ago, "Doc P" wrote:

    "May 22, 2009 - 2:23pm
    acaby, I think the answer to
    acaby,

    I think the answer to "Why can they not just remove the tumor only instead of the whole kidney" is for you and the medical professionals. I agree on getting a second opinion unless you trust the doctor who you are seeing. I am one week post-op from a left partial nephrectomy and was fortunate to have the Da Vinci robotic surgery. If there is one in your area I recommend it. I have six, one inch incisions in my abdomen and my mobility is getting better and better each day."

    I hope this is of some help.
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #7
    Texas_wedge said:

    da Vinci
    A couple of years ago, "Doc P" wrote:

    "May 22, 2009 - 2:23pm
    acaby, I think the answer to
    acaby,

    I think the answer to "Why can they not just remove the tumor only instead of the whole kidney" is for you and the medical professionals. I agree on getting a second opinion unless you trust the doctor who you are seeing. I am one week post-op from a left partial nephrectomy and was fortunate to have the Da Vinci robotic surgery. If there is one in your area I recommend it. I have six, one inch incisions in my abdomen and my mobility is getting better and better each day."

    I hope this is of some help.

    da Vinci
    Please read the messages from !st Feb to 29th May on the thread "Recovering from radical nephrectomy" which will give you a lot more info. and possible good contacts.

    Good luck to you and your Dad.
  • KatfromFlorida
    KatfromFlorida Member Posts: 66
    #8
    Had the Da vinci
    Hi :

    I had my surgery this past September with the Davinci Robot. I had 6 small incisions in my belly most less than 1/2 inch long . Largest was in my belly button which was where the tumor was removed. My incisions were glued together and the scabs came off about 2 weeks later. Very little blood loss and the tumor was removed from the middle of my right kidney along with some additional surrounding tissue and then sewn back together.
    I was in the hospital for 3 days and off work 2 mths. Pain was moderate for the first 6-7 days and now 4 mths later I feel pretty normal. Have some minor pain from time to time from Im assuming is scar tissue under the skin but overall would highly recommend this type of surgery if at all possible.

    Hope this helps
    Kat
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    #9
    Texas_wedge said:

    da Vinci
    A couple of years ago, "Doc P" wrote:

    "May 22, 2009 - 2:23pm
    acaby, I think the answer to
    acaby,

    I think the answer to "Why can they not just remove the tumor only instead of the whole kidney" is for you and the medical professionals. I agree on getting a second opinion unless you trust the doctor who you are seeing. I am one week post-op from a left partial nephrectomy and was fortunate to have the Da Vinci robotic surgery. If there is one in your area I recommend it. I have six, one inch incisions in my abdomen and my mobility is getting better and better each day."

    I hope this is of some help.

    Second opinion...
    Sorry to hear about what you and your dad are going through, everyone here has been through it in one way or another, you are not alone. The list of emotions you are experiencing come with the disease and are completely normal.

    No experience here with da Vinci, but I had a laproscopic nephrectomy, left side, just over 2 years ago and would definitely recommend lap over open if possible. Minimal blood loss, 2 to 3 days in the hospital, and easier/shorter recovery being the main reasons, which sounds similar to your expectations for da Vinci.

    Generally the determining factors for type of procedure and partial vs. full include tumor size and location, at 7.0 cm your dad's is not small or large so location may be more important. If possible I would get a second opinion from a surgeon with experience using the da Vinci robot and laproscopic procedures even if it means putting things off for a bit. Your dad's tumor has reached the tipping point between stage I and stage II, but it is still considered early detection and you have time to reach a decision that you are most comfortable with.

    Good luck and God speed,

    Gary
  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    #10
    KatfromFlorida said:

    Had the Da vinci
    Hi :

    I had my surgery this past September with the Davinci Robot. I had 6 small incisions in my belly most less than 1/2 inch long . Largest was in my belly button which was where the tumor was removed. My incisions were glued together and the scabs came off about 2 weeks later. Very little blood loss and the tumor was removed from the middle of my right kidney along with some additional surrounding tissue and then sewn back together.
    I was in the hospital for 3 days and off work 2 mths. Pain was moderate for the first 6-7 days and now 4 mths later I feel pretty normal. Have some minor pain from time to time from Im assuming is scar tissue under the skin but overall would highly recommend this type of surgery if at all possible.

    Hope this helps
    Kat

    Da Vinci...
    Hey...didn't the iceman have Da Vinci too?

    No wait...his was so long ago I think Da Vinci preformed it himself.

    My mistake.

    Sorry for the bad joke, I just couldn't help myself,

    Gary
  • earnric
    earnric Member Posts: 34
    #11
    I had da Vinci
    I just had the da Vinci procedure/robot to remove my 3.5 cm tumor. It is a good way to go: far less blood loss, and I was up walking the next day with practically no pain (of course, I was on pain meds).

    I'm at the 2 week pt and ready to start back at work ... I feel pretty dam good. I just gotta wait for that first follow-up CT!

    Rick
  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #12
    earnric said:

    I had da Vinci
    I just had the da Vinci procedure/robot to remove my 3.5 cm tumor. It is a good way to go: far less blood loss, and I was up walking the next day with practically no pain (of course, I was on pain meds).

    I'm at the 2 week pt and ready to start back at work ... I feel pretty dam good. I just gotta wait for that first follow-up CT!

    Rick

    Back to work
    Great stuff Rick. Just remember Mark's experience and don't push the boat out too much with training on top of work - give yourself the best odds of recovering steadily with no setbacks.
  • tom_in_VT
    tom_in_VT Member Posts: 25
    #13
    open partial nephectomy ~2" tumor
    I see your dad's date for surgery was 1/10/12 - sorry I didn't respond earlier. On 12/20/11 I had traditional surgery - 10-12" incision, the surgeon removed a portion of my 11th rib and took about a third of my Kidney with the tumor. Remaining "margins" or edges adjacent to the tumor location were biopsied before I was sewn up, they came back 'clean'. I hope that was my brush w/ renal cancer and I no longer have to have the worries that stole my concentration and focus. Surgical report stated no blood transfusions were needed and I spent 4 days at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover, NH. A world class cancer facility staffed by equally qualified doctors & support personnel. I had my first follow up at DHMC this past Wednesday - my surgeon stated all looks well and advised I should start to ween off the narcotic pain meds - I agreed, using one b/4 bed otherwise Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol can get me through the discomfort I am in. I feel I got lucky with all this business - my incision is slightly tender in a few areas, I expect that will go away soon enough.

    I hope all went well w/ your father's surgery, irrespective of the procedure used - please know everyone here has his well being in our prayers & thoughts.

    Be well,
    Tom

Discussion Boards