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Male Infertility pp 115–121Cite as

Robotic Microsurgery for Male Infertility and Chronic Orchialgia

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Abstract

Since the use of the operating microscope for microsurgery in 1975, there has been a steady increase in the use of such technology in the operative management of male infertility and chronic testicular or groin pain. Added to the reports relating to greater patency rates and fertility rates of vasovasostomy performed with the operating microscope, the concepts of magnification have been successfully applied to vasoepididymostomy and varicocele ligation. More recently, microscopic spermatic cord neurolysis has demonstrated applicability to the treatment of groin and testicular discomfort. These techniques require varying degrees of microsurgical skills and an array of supporting technology, neither of which may be part of many urologist’s personal or technical armamentarium. The melding of improved visualization with magnification to an ergonomic platform that can be operated remotely has a significant application to testicular and reproductive surgery. Robotic assistance during surgical procedures has been utilized in a wide array of surgical fields with the above mentioned benefits. This chapter covers the latest developments in the robotic microsurgical platform, robotic microsurgical tools, and current evaluations of various robotic microsurgical applications for male infertility and patients with chronic testicular or groin pain.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Johannes Vieweg, Dr. Li-Ming Su, Dr. Philip Li, Dr. Hany Atalah, Katy Lyall, David Regan, Dr. Rachana Suchdev, Intuitive Surgical and Vascular Technology Inc. for their continued support in the pursuit and refinement of robotic microsurgical techniques and tools.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Jamin V. Brahmbhatt MD

  2. Division of Urology, Winter Haven Hospital, University of Florida, 200 Avenue F. N.E., Winter Haven, FL, 33881, USA

    Sijo J. Parekattil MD

Authors
  1. Jamin V. Brahmbhatt MD
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  2. Sijo J. Parekattil MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jamin V. Brahmbhatt MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Florida, Director, Robotic Surgery, Winter Haven Hospital &, 200 Avenue F. N.E., Winter Haven, 33881, Florida, USA

    Sijo J. Parekattil

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Brahmbhatt, J.V., Parekattil, S.J. (2012). Robotic Microsurgery for Male Infertility and Chronic Orchialgia. In: Parekattil, S., Agarwal, A. (eds) Male Infertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3335-4_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3335-4_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-3334-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-3335-4

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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