USANZ moves to reassure patients over false surgery claims

4 December 2024

The Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) is moving to reassure patients undergoing open surgeries about claims they fared worse than those undergoing robotic surgery.
 
The leading body for Urological surgeons is welcoming moves by the Victorian Government to grant public hospitals access to robotic surgery, but highlight appropriate training will be crucial to ensure good patient outcomes. USANZ also acknowledges that the Victorian and other State governments have significant cost pressures and that funding of robotic platforms are just one of the priority areas for governments and hospitals that also have to care for the general community that do not need access to this advanced technology. Under the current policy, three new robotic platforms are being introduced at major health services across Victoria, and together with existing sites the capacity for robotic surgery in the public system is vastly improving.    
 
USANZ is reiterating that patients undergoing open surgery for prostate cancer will still obtain excellent outcomes and decisions should be based on expertise of the surgeon not the platform utilised.

Data comparing robotic versus open prostatectomy over the last 2 decades have generally favoured the robotic approach.  
 
“Whilst there may be minor improvements in length of stay, and transfusion rates, men who undergo open prostatic surgeries in experienced hands may be assured they are not likely to suffer worse cancer or major side effects than men who undergo a Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP),” Prof O’Connell said.

About the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand 

USANZ is the peak professional body for urological surgeons in Australia and New Zealand. Urologists are surgeons who treat men, women and children with problems involving the kidney, bladder, prostate and male reproductive organs. These conditions include cancer, stones, infection, incontinence, urination difficulties, sexual dysfunction and pelvic floor problems.

 

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