Urology Centers of Alabama has always had at the core of its mission to provide the highest quality state –of- the- art care for our patients delivered with skill and compassion. So it was consistent with our mission that in 2002 surgeons at Urology Centers of Alabama performed the first Robotic urologic procedure in Alabama and we could not have anticipated the changes that it would bring about to our practice and for the health of our patients. We were one of the early adopters of Robotic Radical Prostatectomy to treat our patients with localized prostate cancer and were instrumental in perfecting the procedure and in teaching other surgeons the new technique. Immediately, our patients gained the benefits of less blood loss, less pain and much quicker return to work and full activities. With experience of performing over 7000 Robotic Radical Prostatectomy’s we rank as one of the top programs in the world. With experience we have seen significant improvement in the outcomes of quicker recovery of continence, potency and equal to better cancer control.

Over the years, we have been involved in research and development of the procedure with each addition resulting in better outcomes. We now perform a “no touch,” “no cautery” nerve sparing procedure to improve post op recovery of erectile function in appropriate patients. In our persistent pursuit of achieving earlier return of urinary control, we have added several techniques including bladder neck sparing, maximum preservation of urethral length , posterior and anterior bladder neck support with all additions adding to quicker recovery of continence. We are now studying a new biomembrane material that is rich in growth factors with the goal of improving further early recovery of continence and potency.

Finally, the Robotic Prostatectomy program led to the realization in our group that specialization of surgeons in Urologic procedures leads to better out comes for our patients. We now have surgeons specialized in Robotic procedures for kidney cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer and pelvic prolapse. We continue to push the envelope in Robotics moving towards new procedures such as single site surgery, specialized fluorescent dyes that help us indentify the cancers in the operating room and using the most up to date robotic equipment. Through sub specialization our patients are being treated by robotic surgeons with extensive experience in all urologic procedures which has lead to improved outcomes and more satisfied patients.