Robotic Urologic Surgery

Robot-assisted surgery for prostate, kidney and bladder conditions

Two doctors talk while walking in a sunny corridor, representing collaborative robotic urologic surgery at Scripps.

Drs. Carol Salem and Mark-Rally Pe, Urology, Scripps Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Program

Robot-assisted surgery for prostate, kidney and bladder conditions

If you or a loved one needs urologic surgery, you’ll find the latest minimally invasive options at Scripps. We offer robotic surgery to treat prostate cancer, kidney tumors and other medical conditions that harm the urinary tract or male reproductive system.

Robotic urologic procedures from top San Diego surgeons

It’s natural to feel worried if you have a serious urologic condition. And it can feel especially alarming to find out you need surgery to treat it. But you can take comfort knowing Scripps offers robot-assisted procedures that may cause less pain, fewer complications and a quicker recovery. 


And our robotic surgeons are some of the most experienced in San Diego. They’ve treated thousands of patients with challenging, and even life-threatening, urologic disorders.

Types of robotic urologic surgery at Scripps

  • Robotic prostatectomy, or surgery to remove the prostate gland
  • Cystectomy, or surgical removal of all (or part of) your bladder
  • Lymph node dissection, a procedure that removes certain lymph nodes to test them for cancer
  • Pelvic tumor resection, a type of surgery to remove cancerous or benign (noncancerous) tumors from your pelvic area
  • Pyeloplasty, or surgery to remove a blockage from inside your ureter (the tube that carries urine from your kidney to your bladder)
  • Uretal reimplantation, a procedure to reposition one of your ureters
  • Nephrectomy, or surgical removal of all (or part of) your kidney
  • Ureterolysis, a procedure that removes scar tissue or other abnormal growths pressing against the ureters

Potential benefits and risks of robotic urologic surgery

Like other minimally invasive procedures, robot-assisted urologic surgery may offer several benefits. These include: 


  • Less blood loss (reducing the need for a blood transfusion)
  • Less pain (reducing the need for pain medication)
  • Reduced risk of complications, including infection
  • Smaller, less visible scars
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Faster recovery


Like all surgery, robotic urologic surgery also carries risks. These include:


  • Organ, tissue or nerve damage
  • Surgical site infection 
  • Excessive bleeding 
  • Complications from anesthesia
  • Equipment failure


Robot-assisted urologic surgery may not be appropriate for all patients. Talk to your surgeon about all your treatment options, including the risks and benefits of each.

See how robotic surgery works

See how robotic surgery works

Scripps offers many minimally invasive robotic surgery options that may reduce pain, complications and recovery time.