Robotic Prostatectomy – Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy
Mr Neil Haldar — robotic prostatectomy specialist, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, West Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and London.
Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is keyhole surgery to remove the prostate gland and seminal vesicles as a treatment for prostate cancer. Mr Neil Haldar is a Consultant Urological Surgeon with extensive experience in robotic prostate surgery and has performed more than 1,000 radical prostatectomies. He established the da Vinci robotic prostatectomy programme at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and performs private robotic prostatectomy in London and Harrow.
I am a consultant urological surgeon specialising in robotic prostatectomy using the da Vinci surgical system. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is a surgical treatment for suitable men with localised or selected locally advanced prostate cancer. I have performed over 1,000 radical prostatectomies. I introduced the da Vinci robotic prostatectomy programme at Buckinghamshire NHS Trust — making high-quality robotic prostatectomy available to NHS patients in Buckinghamshire. For private patients, I perform robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy at The Clementine Churchill Hospital in Harrow using the da Vinci 5 Surgical System, as well as at The Princess Grace Hospital in central London. In August 2026, I performed the first robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy at The Clementine Churchill Hospital following the introduction of its da Vinci 5 programme.
1,000+ — Radical prostatectomies performed
GMC: 3683914 | BUPA Platinum Consultant | MBBS MD FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Urol)
Da Vinci robotic-assisted urological surgery
What is robotic prostatectomy?
Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy is keyhole surgery to remove the prostate gland and seminal vesicles as a treatment for prostate cancer. I perform the operation using the da Vinci surgical system, which provides magnified three-dimensional vision and wristed instruments controlled entirely by the surgeon.
Robotic surgery uses the da Vinci surgical system — a sophisticated platform consisting of a high-definition 3D camera and miniature, wristed instruments with a far greater range of motion than the human hand. The surgeon sits at a console a short distance from the patient and controls the robotic arms with complete precision. The robot does not act autonomously—the surgeon controls every movement at all times.
Operations are performed through five or six small keyhole incisions, typically 5–10mm wide. Compared with traditional open surgery, robotic prostatectomy usually involves smaller incisions and is often associated with reduced blood loss, less post-operative discomfort and a shorter early recovery period in suitable patients.
Potential advantages over open surgery
- 3D high-definition magnified view of the operative field
- Instrument movement exceeds the range of the human hand
- Built-in tremor filtration for greater precision
- Smaller incisions — less pain and scarring
- Significantly reduced blood loss
- Lower risk of infection and wound complications
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster return to normal activities
- Comparable cancer control in appropriately selected patients, with outcomes strongly influenced by tumour characteristics, surgical technique and surgeon experience.
Nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy
The neurovascular bundles running alongside the prostate primarily control erectile function. Urinary continence depends mainly on the external urinary sphincter, the remaining urethral length, the bladder neck, the pelvic floor and the surrounding support structures.
When it is oncologically safe, I aim to preserve the neurovascular bundles and supporting anatomy as carefully as possible. The robotic system provides magnified three-dimensional vision and fine instrument control, which can support meticulous dissection. The extent of preservation must nevertheless be determined by the location, grade and stage of the cancer.
Read more about erectile function and sexual recovery after prostate cancer treatment.
Am I suitable for robotic surgery?
Suitability for robotic surgery depends on your diagnosis, the nature of the procedure required, your general health, and your anatomy. I will discuss at your consultation whether a robotic approach is appropriate for your situation and what the alternatives are.
Whether surgery itself is the right treatment depends on the characteristics of your prostate cancer and the alternatives available.
Men who are not suitable for a robotic approach may still be candidates for open radical prostatectomy.
What to expect from robotic prostatectomy
Before surgery
Once we have agreed that robotic prostatectomy is the right treatment, you will have pre-operative blood tests, an anaesthetic assessment, and I will ask you to begin pelvic floor exercises — starting these before surgery significantly improves continence recovery afterwards.
The operation
Robotic prostatectomy is performed under general anaesthesia and takes approximately two to three hours. Working through five or six keyhole incisions, I use the da Vinci system’s 3D camera and instruments to dissect and remove the prostate. The urethra is then reconnected to the bladder—a procedure called vesicoureteral anastomosis—and a catheter is left in place while it heals.
Recovery after robotic prostatectomy
Most patients are discharged one to two days after surgery. The catheter is usually removed around 7–14 days after surgery, depending on the operation and individual recovery. Urinary continence recovers progressively. In my experience, many patients achieve social continence within the first few months, although recovery varies by age, baseline urinary function, nerve-sparing status, pelvic floor strength, and other individual factors. Erectile function recovery after nerve-sparing surgery typically takes 12 to 24 months, and I support patients through penile rehabilitation from an early stage.
Why surgical volume matters
Published evidence consistently shows that outcomes after radical prostatectomy — cancer control, urinary continence, and erectile function — are significantly influenced by surgical volume. Higher-volume surgeons achieve lower rates of positive surgical margins, better continence outcomes, and higher rates of successful nerve preservation.
When choosing a surgeon for robotic prostatectomy, I encourage you to ask: How many prostatectomies have you performed? What are your personal continence and potency rates? Do you perform nerve-sparing routinely? These are entirely reasonable questions, and any experienced surgeon will welcome them.
I have performed over 1,000 nerve-sparing radical prostatectomies. I am happy to discuss my personal outcomes at your consultation.
Read more about choosing an experienced prostate cancer surgeon.
Robotic prostatectomy at The Clementine Churchill Hospital
I perform robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy at The Clementine Churchill Hospital in Harrow, serving patients from North West London, Middlesex, West Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.
In August 2026, I performed the hospital’s first robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy using its da Vinci 5 Surgical System, working with the Clementine Churchill theatre team as the hospital expanded its robotic urology service.
Patients can be assessed, investigated and followed up at the Clementine Churchill Hospital, with surgery performed on site where appropriate.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Is robotic prostatectomy better than open surgery?
Robotic prostatectomy generally offers smaller incisions, reduced blood loss and a shorter early recovery than open surgery. Long-term cancer control and functional outcomes depend on the characteristics of the cancer, the individual patient’s anatomy and health, and the experience and technique of the surgeon. The robotic platform assists the surgeon but does not independently guarantee better continence or erectile-function outcomes.
What are the advantages of robotic prostatectomy?
The main advantages include shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, reduced blood loss and improved visualisation for the surgeon. This often translates into better preservation of urinary continence and erectile function, particularly when performed by an experienced high-volume surgeon.
What are the risks of robotic prostatectomy?
As with any major surgery, there are risks including bleeding, infection and complications related to anaesthesia. Specific risks include urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The likelihood of these depends on factors such as age, baseline function and the extent of the cancer.
Read my detailed guide to robotic prostatectomy side effects and complications.
What is recovery like after a robotic prostatectomy?
Most patients stay in hospital for one to two nights. A urinary catheter is usually required for around 10 days. Patients can return to light activities within a couple of weeks, with a gradual return to normal activity over 4–6 weeks. Minimally invasive techniques help to speed up recovery.
Read my detailed recovery guide after robotic prostate surgery
What are the chances of incontinence after surgery?
Long-term severe incontinence is uncommon in appropriately selected patients, although recovery varies according to age, baseline urinary function, urethral length, sphincter and pelvic-floor function, surgical technique and other individual factors.
Read my guide to urinary continence after prostatectomy.
What are the chances of erectile dysfunction after robotic prostatectomy?
Erectile function recovery depends on age, pre-operative function and whether nerve-sparing surgery is possible. Many patients experience a temporary decline in erectile function, with gradual recovery over months. Early rehabilitation strategies can help improve outcomes.
What are the success rates of robotic prostatectomy?
Surgery offers excellent cancer control, particularly when the disease is detected early. Outcomes depend on tumour stage and grade, but high-volume surgeons typically achieve very good long-term cancer control and functional outcomes.
Does surgeon experience affect outcomes?
Yes, outcomes such as cancer control, continence and erectile function are closely linked to surgical experience. High-volume surgeons tend to have lower complication rates and better functional outcomes.
Related robotic prostatectomy guides
- Recovery after robotic prostatectomy
- Side effects and complications
- Robotic prostatectomy incisions and scarring
- Erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer treatment
- Urinary continence after prostate cancer treatment
- Robotic prostatectomy cost in the UK
British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) guide to robotic prostatectomy.
Why choose Mr Neil Haldar for robotic prostatectomy?
- Over 1,000 radical prostatectomies performed
- Pioneer of the da Vinci robotic prostate programme at Buckinghamshire NHS Trust
- Offers both robotic and open prostatectomy for complex cases
- Extensive experience in nerve-sparing prostatectomy, with careful attention to erectile function and functional preservation where oncologically appropriate.
- Private clinics covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and London
- NHS robotic prostatectomy at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Read more about Mr Neil Haldar’s experience and qualifications.
I am recognised by all major private health insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, Vitality Health, WPA and Standard Life. See our Fees and Insurance page for details.
Self-funding patients can read my guide to private robotic prostatectomy costs in the UK.
