Robotic surgery

Cared for by Dr Dimitri Gambachidze

Robotic assistance is not a different operation — it is a more precise way of performing it. The surgeon operates from a console with magnified three-dimensional vision and instruments that articulate like a wrist inside the body, through incisions of eight millimetres. In urology this translates into less blood loss, less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to normal life, while allowing extremely fine dissection close to the nerves and delicate suturing deep in the pelvis. All robotic procedures are performed at Hôpital Ambroise Paré in Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Symptoms and reasons to consult

  • Prostate cancer requiring radical prostatectomy
  • Kidney tumours suitable for partial or radical nephrectomy
  • Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
  • Complex upper-tract or pelvic reconstruction
  • Previous abdominal surgery requiring careful dissection

How we assess it

  • Cross-sectional imaging reviewed in detail to plan port placement and dissection
  • Anaesthetic assessment including cardiac and respiratory fitness
  • Discussion of the alternatives: open, laparoscopic or non-surgical
  • Multidisciplinary tumour board review for cancer procedures
  • Pre-operative optimisation: anaemia, diabetes, smoking, anticoagulation

Treatment options

Robotic prostatectomy

Nerve-sparing removal of the prostate with reconstruction of the bladder neck and urethral support, aiming at cancer control with the earliest possible return of continence.

Robotic partial nephrectomy

Precise tumour excision and renal reconstruction with short ischaemia time, preserving kidney function.

Robotic pyeloplasty and upper-tract reconstruction

Repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and ureteral reconstruction with fine, watertight suturing and excellent long-term patency.

Complex reconstructive robotic urology

Bladder and ureteric reconstruction, redo surgery and procedures after radiotherapy, where magnification and instrument dexterity matter most.

Recovery and follow-up

  • Mobilisation the same day, most patients home within one to three nights
  • Small incisions with minimal scarring
  • Reduced need for strong painkillers
  • Return to office work in two to three weeks
  • No heavy lifting for six weeks

Frequently asked questions

Does the robot operate on its own?

No. Every movement is made by the surgeon at the console; the robot simply reproduces it with greater precision and no tremor.

Is robotic surgery safer than open surgery?

For these procedures it offers less blood loss and quicker recovery with equivalent results. What matters most remains the experience of the surgical team.

Where is the surgery performed?

At the Groupe Hospitalier Privé Ambroise Paré in Neuilly-sur-Seine, equipped with a surgical robot, laser platforms and a microsurgery unit.