Milestone for Emory Urology Robotic Cystectomy Program
November 2017
A milestone was achieved this year when urologic oncologist Mehrdad Alemozaffar, MD, and his team performed their 100th robotic cystectomy and intracorporeal urinary diversion. Dr. Alemozaffar, Assistant Professor of Urology, joined the Emory Department of Urology in 2014. He had just completed a Society of Urologic Oncology-accredited fellowship at the University of Southern California, and brought his expertise in robotic cystectomy and intracorporeal urinary diversion to Emory.
"Robotic cystectomy and intracorporeal diversion is a difficult operation with many steps, and requires a strong coordinated team to ensure every step is executed properly," Dr. Alemozaffar says. "We have learned and improved our technique to the degree that the procedure typically takes about four hours."
Dr. Alemozaffar also offers multiple options for urinary diversion, including ileal conduit, neobladder, and continent catheterizable pouch. Urinary diversion is also performed robotically.
"It is a testament to the OR staff, nurses, physician assistants, and residents at Emory Urology that we have successfully adopted robotic surgery for bladder cancer," says Dr. Alemozaffar. "The implementation of the enhanced recovery pathway optimizes post-operative recovery as well, leading to an average length of stay of five days. We will continue to improve and offer minimally invasive surgical options for patients with bladder cancer."
