Robotic Urological Surgery at VA Medical Centers: Early Challenges and Successes.

The article discusses the challenges and successes of the use of robotic urological surgery at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) medical centers as indicated in the case of the Palo Alto VA center in California. It cites an increase in the number of veterans who specifically request robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Several aspects of RARP including robotic surgery program challenges, preoperative care and patient selection, changing operating room culture and postoperative patient care are discussed.