At the Vattkuti Urology Institute, we are pioneers in the use of complex robotic surgery for diseases of the kidney, including cancerous and benign tumors, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, kidney cysts and kidney stones.
Kidney Cancer and Benign Tumors
Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Removal of a kidney tumor while preserving the remaining kidney (also called renal-sparing surgery).
Robotic Nephroureterectomy: Removal of the kidney and ureter for transitional cell carcinoma involving the kidney or ureter.
Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction
Robotic Pyeloplasty: Repair of the blockage in the area where the ureter attaches to the kidney.
Kidney Cysts
Robotic Renal Cyst Decortication: Removal of kidney cysts that sometimes cause pain or high blood pressure.
Kidney Stones
Robotic Pyelolithotomy: Removal of large kidney stones that fail treatment by other methods.
Our Unique Approach
At the Vattikuti Urology Institute, our physicians are fellowship trained in advanced robotic and laparoscopic kidney procedures.
They are among the only ones in the United States to routinely perform robotic kidney surgery from behind the peritoneum, or the lining of the abdomen that covers the abdomen's organs. At Henry Ford, we use the daVinci Surgical System.
This approach is ideal for patients who have had prior abdominal surgery and have significant abdominal scarring. It also is an ideal approach for a partial nephrectomy, for patients with a tumor on the back side of the kidney that may be challenging to remove with an abdominal approach.
Advantages of Robotic Kidney Surgery
Robotic kidney surgery is a minimally invasive surgical option that provides greater precision and accuracy than traditional surgery. Henry Ford urologists believe this technically advanced approach offers significant advantages:
Fewer complications
Decreased risk of injury to bowel or other nearby organs
Faster return of bowel function after surgery
Shorter hospital stay (one day in healthy patients)
Less blood loss
Less pain and less need for pain medication
Quicker return to normal activity and work
Smaller incisions, less scarring, and faster healing
