Urologists Dr Greg Malone and Dr Glen Wood
Repairing “the snip” robotically
Men choosing to undergo a vasectomy reversal can now have the delicate operation
performed robotically – for the first time in South East Queensland.
A vasectomy reversal is performed
to re-enable reproduction. It involves
re-joining the ends of a man’s spermcarrying
tubes – the vas deferens –
which were cut and sealed during his
vasectomy.
Urologists Dr Greg Malone and
Dr Glen Wood jointly accomplished
the first procedure at Greenslopes
Private Hospital.
The two Brisbane Urology Clinic
surgeons have now successfully
launched a Robotic Vasectomy
Reversal Program using the da
Vinci Xi surgical system.
Dr Malone said, “This technology
offers some major advantages
for this type of procedure from
a technical point of view. The
da Vinci Xi robot allows greater
dexterity and overcomes the challenge
of naturally-occurring hand tremors of
the surgeon.”
Dr Wood said, “The combination of
magnification and depth of focus
afforded by the robot is superior to
the microscope used in conventional
techniques. The robot maintains focus
during the delicate suturing when the
ends of the vas are moving, whereas
conventional microscopes often lead to
loss of focus.”
“Robotic vasectomy reversal is a day
procedure performed under a general
anaesthetic. It’s typically a viable option
for men who have had a vasectomy
within the past 8-10 years,”
said Dr Malone.
The rate of success for each operation
depends largely on the age of the
patient and the amount of time which
has lapsed since the vasectomy was
initially performed.
Following the establishment
of equipment, technique and
instrumentation requirements, this new
type of robotic surgery has already
been performed several times since
launching at Greenslopes Private
Hospital.
greenslopesprivate.com.au | 5
It’s typically a viable
option for men
who have had a
vasectomy within
the past 8-10 years
This technology
offers some
major advantages