Robotic Surgery

The Hartford HealthCare Tallwood Urology and Kidney Institute is a national leader in robotic urologic surgery. The urologic robotic surgery program, led by Dr. Joseph Wagner, includes eight active robots and two training robots.

This technology, coupled with the expertise and experience of the Institute’s urologists and urogynocologists, has resulted in complication rates that are consistently well below expected complication rates. Tallwood’s progressive robotic surgery team is one of the most experienced in the world and routinely uses the technology to treat prostate, kidney and bladder cancer patients. The team has led the way in lymph node dissections and recently broadcast a live surgery to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Alliance.

Robotic surgical systems have a three dimensional, high-definition vision system that provides a highly magnified, close-up view of the surgical area. Special instruments and computer software give surgeons enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. These features allow the surgeons to perform precise, minimally-invasive procedures that would be extremely difficult with standard laparoscopic techniques.

Compared to open surgery, many studies have shown that patients undergoing robotic surgery have less bleeding, fewer blood transfusions, less need for narcotic pain medication, less scarring and faster recovery times.