For prostate cancer patients, this offers significant benefit in avoiding something some men say can be the most difficult part of recovery post-surgery.

Clinically, several studies – including those published by the American Urological Association and the Journal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons – have shown a catheter-less prostatectomy offers advantages such as low complication rates, decreased pain and an earlier return of continence.

“This is a big change in treatment for patients that is starting to become more common at academic centers throughout the country,” says Sameer Siddiqui, MD, SLUCare urology chief at SLU Hospital.

In the procedure, Dr. Siddiqui uses the da Vinci® Surgical System to remove the cancerous prostate gland in a minimally invasive fashion. Rather than open surgery, three tiny holes are used to insert the robot’s instruments in the body. The catheter – which previously was inserted into the penis’ urethra – is instead inserted in the lower abdomen and connected to the urinary bladder. The approach routes urine directly from the bladder as the patient heals.

“In patients we have treated at SLU Hospital, they have seen a quick return to regular activity,” says Dr. Siddiqui.

That was true for Eric Finger, 55, of St. Louis, who was back to regular activity two weeks after surgery in April 2015. “My advice is to see if it’s right for you,” says Finger. “I’m glad I did.”

The catheter-less prostatectomy is not appropriate for every patient, as some may need traditional therapies based on their specific situation. For more information about catheter-less robotic prostatectomy at Saint Louis University Hospital, call 314-577-8790.

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About Saint Louis University Hospital

Saint Louis University Hospital is a 356-licensed bed quaternary/tertiary referral center located in the heart of the city of St. Louis. Approximately 75 percent of patients are drawn from a 150-mile radius. Through affiliation as the teaching hospital for Saint Louis University, the hospital provides patients and their families with an environment of medical innovation. Working in this endeavor are the hospital’s medical staff partners, SLUCare, the physicians of Saint Louis University. The hospital admits more than 17,000 patients annually and is a Level I Trauma Center that treats more than 2,000 major trauma cases a year. For more information, please visit www.sluhospital.com.