A Complete Guide Everything you need to know about state-of-the-art robotic
prostatectomy — explained clearly by a high-volume specialist who
performs this surgery every week.

High Volume

ROBOTIC SURGEON
<200ml
AVG. BLOOD LOSS
3×
FASTER RECOVERY
SCROLL
95%+
CONTINENCE RATE
RD
Dr. Rohit Dadhwal
MS (SURGERY) · MCH (UROLOGY) · URO-ONCOLOGIST TRAINED AT
MAYO CLINIC, USA · ROBOTIC SURGERY SPECIALIST
Consultant Urologist & Robotic Surgeon at Fortis Hospital Mohali, Dr. Rohit
Dadhwal is one of Punjab’s most experienced robotic surgeons, with advanced
Uro-Oncology training from the prestigious Mayo Clinic, USA. He brings
internationally benchmarked surgical standards to his practice, with dedicated
expertise in robotic radical prostatectomy (RARP), complex kidney surgeries,
and advanced endoscopic procedures. Dr. Dadhwal performs high volumes of
robotic cases weekly — a distinction that directly translates into better
outcomes for patients.
Fortis Hospital Mohali
AUA / EAU Guidelines
Da Vinci Robotic System
MCh Urology
Uro-Oncologist · Mayo Clinic USA
UNDERSTANDING ROBOTIC SURGERY
What Is Robotic Radical Prostatectomy?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. When surgery is
needed, the choice of technique matters enormously. Robotic
Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) has become the global gold
standard — and for good reason.
“
“When I sit at the robotic console and operate, I have 10×
magni ed, three-dimensional vision of the prostate and its
surrounding structures — nerves, blood vessels, the bladder neck.
My hand movements are ltered and scaled down to micro
precision. I can dissect tissue planes that are simply impossible to
reach with open surgery. This technology doesn’t replace surgical
skill — it ampli es it.”
— Dr. Rohit Dadhwal, Robotic Urologist, Fortis Hospital Mohali
In robotic prostatectomy, the surgeon operates through 5–6 tiny
keyhole incisions (each less than 1 cm), guided by a high-definition
robotic camera and precision instruments. The da Vinci robotic
system translates the surgeon’s movements — with tremor filtration —
into exact, scaled motions inside the patient’s body.
WHY CHOOSE ROBOTIC SURGERY
5 Key Benefits You Need to Know
Superior Oncological Outcomes
The most important goal of any cancer surgery is complete cancer
removal. Robotic surgery provides surgeons with unmatched 3D
visualization and precision, enabling cleaner surgical margins —
control rates compared to open surgery.

90%
meaning less residual cancer tissue left behind. Multiple large studies
show robotic prostatectomy achieves equivalent or better cancer
Negative surgical margin rate in experienced hands
Excellent Urinary Continence Rates
Fear of leaking urine after surgery is one of the biggest concerns for
men. With robotic surgery, delicate sphincter muscles and supporting
structures can be preserved with far greater accuracy than open
techniques. High-volume surgeons like Dr. Dadhwal consistently report
continence rates of 90–95% at 12 months — many men regain full
control within 6–8 weeks.
90–95%
Continence restored at 12 months
Minimal Incisions & Less Pain
Instead of a large abdominal cut, robotic surgery uses 5–6 incisions
each less than 1 cm — some no bigger than a fingertip. This means
dramatically less surgical trauma, less post-operative pain, reduced
surgery.
<1 cm
need for strong painkillers, and a far lower risk of wound complications
or hernia. Most patients are comfortable and mobile within 24 hours of
Per incision — vs 15–20 cm open wound
Minimal Blood Loss & No Transfusion
Robotic surgery’s precision significantly reduces intraoperative
bleeding. The robotic system’s cauterization capabilities and the
surgeon’s enhanced visualization allow targeted vessel control that is
surgeon’s enhanced visualization allow targeted vessel control that is
simply not possible in open surgery. The vast majority of robotic
prostatectomy patients do not require a blood transfusion — a major
safety advantage.
<150 ml
Average blood loss — transfusion rate under 1%
Faster Recovery & Early Discharge
Open prostatectomy typically required 5–7 days in hospital and 6–8
weeks off work. With robotic surgery, most patients go home in 1–2
1–2 Days
days, return to light activities within 1–2 weeks, and are back to normal
life in 3–4 weeks. This also means lower hospital costs, less time away
from family, and a quicker return to quality of life.
Average hospital stay post-surgery
Nerve-Sparing for Sexual Function
For suitable candidates, robotic surgery enables nerve-sparing
prostatectomy — carefully preserving the neurovascular bundles
responsible for erections. The robotic system’s precision makes this
technically more achievable than open surgery, especially in the hands
of an experienced surgeon. Potency recovery, while variable, is
significantly better with nerve-sparing robotic techniques.
Better
Potency recovery with nerve-sparing RARP
Dr. Dadhwal’s Perspective: “The volume of robotic cases a surgeon
performs directly determines the quality of outcomes. A surgeon who
does 2 robotic prostatectomies a month cannot match the proficiency
of a surgeon who does 20. Muscle memory, pattern recognition, crisis
management — these only come from doing hundreds of cases. That’s
why I encourage every patient to ask their surgeon: how many have you
done?”
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Robotic vs. Open Surgery: At a Glance
OUTCOME ROBOTIC SURGERY
(RARP)
OPEN SURGERY
Hospital Stay 1–2 days 4–7 days
Blood Loss <150–200 ml 500–1000 ml
Blood Transfusion
Needed
✓✓✓✓ Rarely (<1%) ✗ Often (15–20%)
Incision Size 5 × 1 cm keyhole cuts 15–20 cm open
wound
Post-op Pain Mild — oral painkillers Significant — IV
opioids
Return to Work 2–4 weeks 6–8 weeks
Continence at 12
Months
90–95% (high-volume
centre) 75–85%
Cancer Control
(Negative
Margins)
Equivalent or better Equivalent
Nerve-Sparing
Feasibility
✓✓✓✓ Excellent precision ◑ More difficult
Wound
Complications /
Hernia
Very low Higher risk
3D Magnified ✓✓✓✓ 10× magnification ✗ Limited
Visualization
YOUR JOURNEY
What to Expect — Before, During & After
1
WEEK BEFORE SURGERY
Pre-operative Consultation & Workup
Dr. Dadhwal reviews your PSA levels, biopsy reports, MRI
f
indings, and staging. A personalised surgical plan is
created — including whether nerve-sparing is
appropriate. Pre-anaesthesia tests, cardiac clearance if
needed, and bowel preparation are arranged. You’ll know
exactly what to expect.
2
3
DAY OF SURGERY
Robotic Radical Prostatectomy (2–3 Hours)
Under general anaesthesia, five small incisions are made.
The robotic arms are docked. Dr. Dadhwal operates at
the console with 3D 10× magnified vision — carefully
dissecting and removing the prostate, with or without
nerve sparing, while controlling bleeding with precision.
Lymph nodes may also be sampled.
DAY 1–2
Early Recovery in Hospital
Most patients are sitting up and walking within hours of
surgery. You’ll have a urinary catheter for 7–10 days. Pain
is typically well-controlled with oral medications. Diet is
resumed the same evening. The vast majority of patients
go home by Day 1 or 2.
4
5
WEEK 1–4
Catheter Removal & Continence Training
Catheter comes out at Day 7–10. You’ll be taught pelvic
f
loor exercises (Kegel exercises) — these are the single
most important thing you can do to speed up
continence recovery. Light walking is encouraged from
Day 3. Most patients are comfortable and at home,
managing their daily activities.
MONTH 1–3
PSA Monitoring & Follow-up
PSA is checked at 6 weeks — in a curative surgery, it
should drop to undetectable (<0.1 ng/ml). Continence
as appropriate.
steadily improves. Most men are pad-free by 6–8 weeks.
Further PSA checks at 3, 6, and 12 months ensure cancer
control is maintained. Potency rehabilitation is discussed
THE VOLUME-OUTCOME RELATIONSHIP
Why Choosing a High-Volume Surgeon Is
Critical
This is not marketing language — this is published medical evidence.
Multiple large studies, including those in the Journal of Urology and
European Urology, have demonstrated that surgical outcomes in robotic
prostatectomy improve significantly with surgeon and centre volume.
3×
Lower Complication Rate
High-volume robotic surgeons have significantly lower rates of intraoperative
complications, conversion to open surgery, and post-operative issues compared
to low-volume surgeons — regardless of patient complexity.
95%
Superior Continence Outcomes
Studies consistently show that surgeons performing 50+ robotic prostatectomies
per year achieve continence and potency rates significantly higher than those
doing under 25. The “learning curve” for robotic prostatectomy is estimated at
200–250 cases.
High
Volume
Dr. Dadhwal’s Robotic Expertise
As a high-volume robotic urological surgeon, Dr. Dadhwal is firmly past the
learning curve. Each case further sharpens his technical precision, crisis
management skills, and ability to handle anatomical variations — translating into
better results for you.
1
Ask This One Question
confidence and data.
Before any robotic surgery consultation, ask your surgeon: “How many robotic
prostatectomies do you perform per year, and what are your personal continence
and margin outcomes?” A skilled, transparent surgeon will answer with
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
1
Is robotic surgery suitable for all prostate cancer patients?
Robotic prostatectomy is appropriate for most men with localised or
locally advanced prostate cancer where surgery is the chosen treatment.
Suitability depends on cancer stage, PSA level, Gleason score, patient
f
itness, and individual anatomy. Dr. Dadhwal will assess all these factors
during your consultation and recommend the best approach — which
may include discussion of radiation therapy alternatives if applicable.
2
Will I definitely be incontinent after robotic prostatectomy?
No — the goal of modern robotic prostatectomy is to preserve
continence. In the hands of a high-volume surgeon like Dr. Dadhwal, over
90–95% of patients achieve full urinary control within 12 months. Some
patients regain control within days of catheter removal; most within 6–8
weeks. Dedicated pelvic floor physiotherapy significantly accelerates
recovery and is strongly recommended.
3
What about sexual function after surgery?
When nerve-sparing surgery is appropriate and technically feasible,
robotic prostatectomy offers the best chance of preserving potency.
Recovery of erections takes time — typically 6–18 months — and
depends on age, pre-operative function, and whether one or both
neurovascular bundles could be preserved. Erection rehabilitation with
medications (PDE5 inhibitors) is initiated early post-surgery to support
nerve recovery. Dr. Dadhwal discusses this openly with every patient
before surgery.
4
Is robotic surgery available and safe in India at Fortis Mohali?
Absolutely. Fortis Hospital Mohali is equipped with the da Vinci Robotic
Surgical System — the global gold standard platform used in top cancer
centres worldwide. The infrastructure, anaesthesia team, post-operative
care, and ICU support are all at international standards. Dr. Dadhwal has
trained on this system extensively and performs robotic surgeries here
regularly. You do not need to travel abroad for world-class robotic care.
5
How does robotic surgery a ect cancer cure rates?
Cancer cure rates with robotic prostatectomy are equivalent to — and in
some outcomes, slightly better than — open surgery, primarily due to
superior surgical margin quality. Studies in the European Urology journal
and major cancer databases show no inferiority of robotic surgery in
biochemical recurrence-free survival. For localised prostate cancer, long
term disease control exceeds 85–90% in appropriately selected
patients.
6
How long before I can drive, exercise, and return to work?
Most patients can drive 2–3 weeks after surgery once off strong pain
medication and managing the catheter. Light desk work is typically
possible in 2–3 weeks. Moderate exercise resumes at 4–6 weeks.
Strenuous gym activity and heavy lifting are held until 8–12 weeks. Dr.
Dadhwal provides personalised return-to-activity guidance based on
your recovery progress and occupation.
Don’t Delay. Expert Care Is Here.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, getting the
right surgical opinion quickly is vital. Dr. Rohit Dadhwal offers thorough,
unhurried consultations at Fortis Hospital Mohali — where you’ll get honest
guidance on whether robotic surgery is right for you.
Book an Appointment Visit Fortis Mohali
Dr. Rohit Dadhwal
MS · MCh (Urology) · Robotic Surgeon · Fortis Hospital Mohali
Fortis Hospital, Phase 8, Mohali, Punjab Contact via Fortis Helpline
Mon–Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM
This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. All surgical
decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified urological surgeon following appropriate
evaluation. Individual outcomes vary. Published statistics are based on peer-reviewed literature an