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Albertinen Center for Robot Assisted Surgery

Precision surgery with the da Vinci system

More and more clinics are using the high-tech da Vinci surgical system to perform urological surgery, but also to perform minimally invasive surgery and interventions in the field of gynecology with the greatest possible precision.

The da Vinci system is used in diverse fields, which are grouped in the Albertinen Center for Robot Assisted Surgery in the Albertinen Hospital: In urology, in case of cancer, it is used especially to remove the prostate (radical prostatectomy), bladder (radical cystectomy) or a kidney (radical nephrectomy) or only part of a kidney (partial resection) if possible. It is also used in reconstructions and surgical treatment of urinary incontinence.

In surgery the da Vinci system is used for, for example, in extensive and complex operations of the large intestine (colon), the rectum, and the stomach. In gynecology, the current focus is on urogynecological interventions, which largely serve the treatment of prolapse symptoms, such as pressure or foreign body sensation in the vagina, or urinary incontinence.

Of course, our clinic continues to offer this as minimally invasive surgery (without surgical system) or in open surgery. We are happy to assist you in deciding on the surgical method.

Surgery with the da Vinci system offers many advantages. However, the human being remains in control. Da Vinci is a robot-assisted system that supports the surgeon in many ways, but does not take the lead. The surgeon is still in charge of the procedure; the system cannot act independently. Dr. Henrik Zecha, chief physician of the urological clinic, has been working intensively with the surgical system for ten years and therefore has acquired considerable experience with robot-assisted surgery. As an expert and trainer, he is very happy to share his knowledge throughout Germany and abroad. The surgeons in the gynecological clinic as well in as the surgical clinic  have a high level of expertise in minimally invasive surgery (keyhole technique), which also benefits patients during surgery using the da Vinci system.

Please contact us if an intervention in any of these areas is necessary. We are also happy to provide a well-founded second opinion on a urological illness.

Applications of da Vinci surgery

Benefits of da Vinci surgery

The da Vinci X system used in the Albertinen Hospital is the latest model of this operating system and consists of a patient cart with four arms, a vision cart and a surgeon console. The surgeon controls the operation with the handles on the console. The surgical system implements the operator's hand and joint movements with millimeter precision – tremor-free and in real time. The physician has a three-dimensional view of the surgical field that is displayed in high-resolution, also allowing up to 40-times magnification. In this way, even the finest structures, such as nerves or vessels, can be detected in the smallest spaces so that injuries can be avoided.

The filigree instruments at the ends of the gripping arms can be moved in seven degrees of freedom and are thus superior in flexibility to the human hand. Due to the improved ergonomics of the surgeon console, the surgeon can also remain relaxed during longer procedures and concentrate fully on the work. Last but not least, fluorescence imaging enables an exact demarcation of tumors from healthy tissue. The Albertinen Hospital is pioneering this technology in Hamburg.

The operating system cannot perform actions on its own, but only assists the surgeon. This ensures complete control of the system and patient safety at all times.

Patients benefit from an extremely precise, very safe, and particularly gentle surgical technique.

The advantages at a glance: