One of the Worlds Most Comprehensive Robotic Surgery Programs
Dr. Savatta and Galdieri performed the first Robotic Prostatectomy in Essex, Morris, or Union counties (Read the press release by clicking here). This was done at Newark Beth Israel in 2004. Since then, Dr. Savatta and Dr. Brent Yanke have performed all of the prostate cancer surgery at Associates in Urology with robotic assistance.
Dr. Savatta's current are of interest is in removing foley catheters after prostate surgery as soon as 3 days after surgery (most surgeons leave them in 5-10 days), improving early control of urine and sexual function.
We have advanced robotic surgery in New Jersey by being among the first in the state to perform the following procedures:
- Robotic Cystectomy for bladder cancer
- Robotic Simple Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
- Robotic Partial Nephrectomy for Kidney Cancer
- Robotic Nephro-ureterectomy for Transitional cell cancer of the kidney and ureter
- Robotic bladder diverticulectomy for bladder diverticulum
- Robotic ureteral reimplant
- Robotic inguinal hernia repair at the time of robotic prostatectomy
Oncological expertise
Most robotic surgeries in our field are for cancer. Dr. Savatta finished a 6 year residency in urology at Indiana University, one of the worlds most respected urologic oncological universities.
Dr. Yanke has finished a six year residency in urology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center which included eight months of training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Associates in Urology provides complete prostatectomy recovery support
Although we feel that ROBOTIC PROSTATECTOMY improves recovery in urinary and sexual function compared to open surgery, most men will have sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence after surgery.
We have addressed these areas and have developed protocols to help with the recovery of urinary and sexual function.
For men that need extra support, we have several in office services available:
For recovery of sexual function:
- Post-prostatectomy sexual rehabilitation protocol
- In office vacuum pump demonstrations
- Penile injection therapy by a board certified urologist
For recovery of continence:
- Pre and post-prostatectomy Kegel instructions
- Biofeedback with an incontinence nurse
- If needed, in office urodynamics with a leader in incontinence
Robotic Expertise
- Dr. Savatta was among the first robotic surgery proctors in New Jersey.
- Dr. Savatta taught the first da Vinci S training course in the Northeast for urologists and has surgeon visitors from as far away as Asia and South America
- Dr. Savatta performed the first live robotic nephrectomy for Intuitive Surgical at the AUA meeting in May of 2007
- Dr. Savatta performed a live da Vinci robotic prostatectomy for Intuitive Surgical at the AUA meeting in May of 2006
Dr. Savatta has successfully performed almost 400 da Vinci prostatectomies and almost 500 robotic surgeries.
He is the adult urology instructor at Newark Beth Israel's daVinci S training center.
He has also performed hundreds of laparoscopic and open urologic oncology operations. This experience has enabled him to expand the use of robotic surgery in a safe fashion while having the comfort level to finish an operation laparoscopically or open if it is better for the patient.
Updated October 25, 2007