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Oncologic Conditions 5 Other Conditions 9 Robotic Surgery 8 Endoscopic Surgery 12
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Frequently Asked Questions

The most frequently asked topics about urological operations, robotic surgery processes and patient guidance.

1. Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery

No. The Da Vinci robot is entirely under the surgeon's control. The surgeon personally directs the operation from the console. The robotic system converts the surgeon's finger movements into millimetric, tremor-free micro-movements, providing flawless precision.
It is applied across a wide range of conditions, primarily prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy), kidney cancer (partial/radical nephrectomy), bladder cancer, adrenal tumors and ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction.
Robotic surgery's greatest advantage is that it enables a nerve-sparing technique under 3D magnification. Because the muscles that provide urinary control and the nerve fibers responsible for erection are preserved with millimetric precision, continence and erectile function outcomes are far better than with open surgery.
Both are minimally invasive methods performed through small incisions. The robotic system provides 3D, 10–15x magnified visualization and multi-jointed instruments, enabling more precise work in confined spaces. These methods are described on the Robotic Surgery and Endoscopic Surgery pages.
No. The decision is made individually based on the disease's stage, general health and any previous surgeries. Laparoscopic, endoscopic or medical treatment may be more suitable for some patients.
Not always. If the tumor's size and location allow, only the tumor-bearing part is removed (partial nephrectomy) and healthy kidney tissue is preserved; otherwise the whole kidney is removed (radical nephrectomy). See Robotic Surgery for Kidney Cancer.
Yes, in suitable patients. Surgery for both prostate cancer and adrenal gland cancer in the same session with the robotic method was performed for the first time in Turkey by Prof. Dr. Mutlu Ateş.
The average hospital stay is 5–7 days, and return to work takes 4–6 weeks. When the bladder is removed, an artificial bladder can be created from the bowel. See Robotic Surgery for Bladder Cancer.
Robotic and laparoscopic surgeries are performed under general anesthesia. Endoscopic procedures such as TUR-P, TUR-M and RIRS can be performed under general or spinal anesthesia.

2. Prostate

No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not cancer, but it can cause similar complaints. The two are distinguished with PSA, examination and necessary imaging; an annual check-up is recommended. See Prostate Disorders.
When medical treatment is not sufficient, incisionless TUR-P (plasmakinetic or laser) is performed. Hospital stay is 1–2 days, and return to work takes 1–2 weeks. See Endoscopic Surgery for BPH.
It starts with a PSA test and multiparametric MRI. A definitive diagnosis is made with a fusion biopsy targeting suspicious areas seen on MRI.
No. Depending on the disease's stage, surgery, radiotherapy or hormonal treatment options are considered; regular PSA follow-up is performed after any method. For robotic surgery see Robotic Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer.

3. Kidney Stone

In RIRS, the kidney is reached through the urinary tract with a thin, flexible endoscope, and the stone is broken up with a laser. Since no incision is made, no scar remains. The hospital stay is usually 1 day, and return to work takes 3–5 days. See Endoscopic Treatment for Stone Disease.
Ureteroscopy (URS) is mainly used for stones in the ureter. RIRS, on the other hand, uses a flexible endoscope to reach stones inside the kidney.
It can recur. Personal recommendations to reduce the risk of recurrence are determined through stone analysis and, when needed, metabolic evaluation; adequate fluid intake is foremost among them.

4. Female and Male Urology

Yes. The type of incontinence is first determined with a voiding diary and, if needed, a urodynamic test. Treatment options include medication, a sling operation and botox injections into the bladder. See Urinary Incontinence.
Yes. Robotic or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy resuspends the prolapsed organs. The hospital stay is 1–2 days and return to work takes 3–4 weeks. See Robotic Surgery for Bladder Prolapse.
For men with no sperm in their semen, this is the process of searching for sperm in testicular tissue under a microscope. Semen analysis, hormone profile and, if necessary, genetic evaluation are performed beforehand. See Male Infertility.
It can be; erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Hormone profile and penile Doppler are used in the evaluation. Treatment options include medication and, when necessary, penile prosthesis surgery. See Male Sexual Dysfunction.
This is an abnormal connection between the bladder and vagina that causes continuous urine leakage. It can be repaired robotically or laparoscopically; the hospital stay is 2–3 days and return to work takes 3–4 weeks. See Robotic Surgery for Vesicovaginal Fistula.

5. Surgery and Recovery Process

With minimally invasive methods (robotic, laparoscopic, RIRS), the hospital stay is usually 1 or 2 days. For stone surgery, patients are mostly discharged the same day.
The catheter is usually removed on day 5–7, and the pathology result is evaluated at this visit. The patient is expected to be mobilized within the first 24 hours, and discharge is on day 1–2.
It varies by procedure type:
  • RIRS / URS: 3–5 days
  • TUR-M: about 1 week
  • TUR-P: 1–2 weeks
  • Robotic prostatectomy: 2–3 weeks
  • Nephrectomy: 2–3 weeks
  • Cystectomy: 4–6 weeks
Follow-up varies by cancer type:
  • Prostate: regular follow-up with PSA
  • Bladder: check-up with cystoscopy
  • Kidney: follow-up with imaging
  • Testis: tumor markers and imaging

6. Out-of-Town and International Patients

When you send your reports and test results digitally to our team, a preliminary assessment is made by Prof. Dr. Mutlu Ateş. Your arrival date, examination, surgery day and post-discharge follow-up appointment are planned in advance according to your travel schedule.

7. The Doctor and the Media

Graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1997 and completed urology specialty training at Akdeniz University in 2004. From 2005 to 2006, on an ESUT fellowship, he trained in laparoscopic urology under Prof. Dr. Jens Rassweiler at SLK Klinikum Heilbronn in Germany. See About Me.
He has more than 95 scientific publications and over 500 international citations. He has served as an instructor in more than 45 surgical courses and as an operating surgeon in over 100 live-surgery and hands-on training sessions. Details are on the Scientific Publications and Courses & Meetings pages.
The Media › In the Press page in the menu lists newspaper, television and online coverage since 2005; each story's clippings and sources are listed on its own page.