Robotic Surgery at the Sheba Medical Center

The console allows the surgeon to sit and operate the controls of the robot whilst looking into a stereoscopic monitor, which in turn provides a magnified, high definition three-dimensional view of the surgical site. The surgeon has the ability to manipulate the robots four arms, providing fingertip precision of movement.

The Da Vinci system aids the surgeon during surgery, however, the surgeon has total control of the surgical instruments, and consequently, the results of the surgery are directly related to the surgeon’s skill as opposed to the device being used to execute the surgery.

Sheba Medical Center provides a diverse range of medical services, with an assortment of theatre surgeries utilizing the Da Vinci system.

The department of urology at the Sheba Medical Center is a global leader in the provision of medical services, implementation of innovative treatment plans and cutting-edge research.

The focus of treatment includes early diagnosis of urinary tract disease, with a prominent example being prostate cancer.

Initially, prostate cancer may show no signs or symptoms.

Advanced stages may be characterized by symptoms including difficulty urinating, blood in the semen, discomfort in the pelvic area and erectile dysfunction.

Prostate cancer treatment options are largely dependant on several factors, including how rapidly the cancer is growing, the degree of metastatic activity, the overall health of the patient as well as the potential benefits or side effects of the treatment.

Patients at higher risk may be eligible for prostate surgery, and this involves removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy), some surrounding tissue and a few lymph nodes.

At Sheba Medical Center, a radical prostatectomy is performed using the Da Vinci robotic system and administered by highly skilled surgeons and supporting team of medical staff.

The surgeon has the ability to make use of a feature called “motion scaling”, which translates small hand movements outside the patient’s body into precise movements inside the body.

The surgeon controls the robotic arms from the console, using natural hand and wrist movements. “Motion scaling” is designed to allow for improved precision and an enhanced range of motions, enabling the surgeon to reach difficult locations, as well as permitting precise suturing and dissection.

The benefits of this system includes shorter hospitalization, a reduced risk of complications such as incontinence and impotence, less blood loss and reduced pain for the patient.