Hospital of St. Zdislava

Robotic Urological Surgeries at the Hospital of St. Zdislava

The clinic performs many minimally invasive surgeries using the da Vinci type X robotic system (Intuitive Surgical, 2023). In terms of the number of robotic procedures conducted, Hospital of St. Zdislava is the largest robotic center in the Czech Republic, and one of the largest centers in Europe. The doctors perform over 1,000 surgeries annually using the da Vinci robot, including 500 prostate removal operations.

During the procedure, the surgeon sees a three-dimensional image magnified 35 times, and the system’s high resolution displays even the smallest of the surgeon’s movements, which allows minimizing damage to tissues and internal organs, reducing blood loss, speeding up the surgery and shortening rehabilitation time. Thanks to the use of small incisions to access the surgical field, patients are left with no noticeable scars after surgery.

Surgeons at Hospital of St. Zdislava perform the following surgeries using the Da Vinci robot:

• treatment of urethral stricture using buccal urethroplasty;
• prostatectomy of any complexity;
• removal of prostate adenoma;
• removal of the bladder;
• kidney removal (nephrectomy);
• implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter.

Robotic Urethral Stricture Reconstruction Program Using Buccal Graft and the Da Vinci system

• Preoperative medical board consultation;
• Transfer from the airport;
• Preoperative examination;
• Surgery under general anesthesia;
• Hospitalization: accommodation in a single room with a private bathroom, Internet, and TV for 10-14 days. Intensive care – 1 day;
• Three meals a day, fruit, and hydration;
• Medications and medical supplies;
• Daily doctor visit, 24/7 medical supervision;
• Final medical check-up;
• Interpreter services;
• Transfer to the airport;
• Bathrobe, towels, and cosmetic kit.

The cost of the urethral plastic surgery program is €9500.

Bariatric surgery at St. Zdislava Hospital

The Department of Bariatric Surgery at St. Zdislava Hospital was established in 2003. Since its founding, over 3,000 successful weight loss surgeries have been performed, making the hospital one of the leading centres in the Czech Republic in terms of the number of such procedures.

The clinic’s specialists offer surgical treatment for patients with excess body weight and metabolic disorders, using minimally invasive techniques – laparoscopic surgeries and operations performed with the assistance of a robotic surgical system. All procedures are carried out through small incisions in the abdominal wall, which ensures fast recovery and minimizes surgical risks.

Robotic bariatric surgery: precision and safety

The operating room at St. Zdislava Hospital uses the da Vinci Si system from Intuitive Surgical, a modern robotic assistant that provides three-dimensional visualization of the surgical field with 35x magnification. Thanks to this technology, the surgeon’s movements are precisely transmitted to the instruments, eliminating hand tremors and other human factors.

Advantages of robotic bariatric surgery:

• significant reduction in blood loss;
• minimal tissue trauma (punctures instead of incisions);
• reduction in the duration of the operation;
• rapid postoperative recovery and short hospital stay.

Sleeve gastrectomy: a modern approach to obesity treatment

One of the most widely used methods of surgical treatment of obesity is sleeve gastrectomy. The procedure involves the longitudinal removal of the greater curvature of the stomach, resulting in a narrow tube-like shape and a reduced stomach volume, closer to physiological norms.

This anatomical change in the stomach allows patients to significantly reduce their food intake. The effectiveness of the method is due not only to mechanical restriction, but also to a pronounced metabolic effect.

The removed part of the stomach contains the area responsible for producing ghrelin, the so-called “hunger hormone”. By eliminating this area, appetite is reduced on a hormonal level, helping patients lose weight without experiencing intense hunger.

Orthopedic Surgeries at the St. Zdislava Hospital

The Orthopedic Department of the clinic specializes in joint replacement surgery for the treatment of degenerative diseases of large joints. Over 1,000 orthopedic surgeries are performed annually, more than 700 of which are hip and knee joint replacements.

Modern implants and advanced technologies

The department offers a wide range of the latest generation joint implants. All sizes and types of European implants from renowned manufacturers such as Zimmer-Biomet, Mathys, Lima, Johnson & Johnson, including ceramic components, are always available in operating rooms.

The implants used at St. Zdislava Hospital are anatomically designed to match the natural configuration of the joint. Each implant undergoes extensive clinical testing and certification, ensuring durability and safety. Thanks to a minimally invasive surgical approach, muscles and tendons remain intact, and the prosthesis is securely fixed in the joint, promoting rapid adaptation and structural stability. In most cases, patients are able to stand up on the same day as the surgery.

Individual care and rehabilitation

Following surgery, each patient undergoes a personalized rehabilitation program. Under the supervision of a physiotherapist, patients are trained in correct walking technique with support, participate in therapeutic exercises, and receive physiotherapeutic treatments. Particular attention is paid to both active and passive joint mobilization, as well as the gradual return to daily activities.

The department performs the following types of procedures:

• total hip joint replacement;
• total knee joint replacement;
• bilateral total hip replacement;
• bilateral total knee replacement;
• revision hip replacement;
• revision knee replacement;
• reverse shoulder replacement.

The department also performs arthroscopic procedures, most commonly on the knee and shoulder joint. The arthroscopy method is used primarily for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee or stabilization of the shoulder joint due to recurrent dislocation.

Orthopedic surgeons at St. Zdislava Hospital also apply the latest knowledge and treatment methods in the field of foot surgery, performing procedures to correct hallux valgus (bunions), flat feet, toe deformities, and more.

Total Knee Replacement Program

(minimally invasive replacement using the medial parapatellar approach)

• Preoperative medical board consultation based on submitted medical documents;
• Transfer from the airport in Prague, Vienna, or Bratislava;
• Preoperative examination;
• Hospitalization for 7 days in a single room with private bathroom, TV, Internet, and radio (including 1 day in intensive care unit);
• Surgery (60 minutes) under general or combined anesthesia;
• Cemented implant: PFC Sigma by Johnson & Johnson, Balansys by Mathys, or Nex Gen by Zimmer;
• Three meals a day, hydration, fruits, juices;
• Medications, consumables, crutches, compression stockings, bathrobe, cosmetic kit;
• Daily check-up by an orthopedic surgeon, medical supervision;
• Rehabilitation exercises;
• Final medical examination;
• Return transfer.

The cost of the comprehensive program is €10,000

To achieve the best possible outcome after implant placement, an additional one-week rehabilitation course is recommended, which will help establish the necessary range of joint motion and strengthen the muscle support system.

The cost of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation is €1,000 per week.

Total Hip Replacement Program

(minimally invasive replacement using the Anterior Lateral Approach Surgery method)

• Preoperative medical board consultation based on submitted medical documents;
• Transfer from the airport in Prague, Vienna, or Bratislava;
• Preoperative examination;
• Hospitalization for 7 days in a single room with private bathroom, TV, Internet, and radio (including 1 day in intensive care unit);
• Surgery (60 minutes) under general or combined anesthesia;
• Uncemented implant: press fit cup (Alofit, Stoporno by Zimmer or Selexys Mathys), high molecular weight polyethylene gasket (Durasul by Zimmer or Vitamys Mathys), titanium stem with anatomically shaped, oversized head for maximum range of motion;
• Three meals a day, hydration, fruits, juices;
• Medications, consumables, crutches, compression stockings, bathrobe, cosmetic kit;
• Daily visit by an orthopedic doctor, medical monitoring;
• 24-hour nursing care;
• Therapeutic gymnastics – visits every working day;
• Final medical examination;
• Return transfer.

Cost of the comprehensive program is €16,500

To optimize the outcome after joint replacement, an additional one-week rehabilitation course is recommended. It is aimed at restoring full joint mobility and strengthening the musculoskeletal system.

The cost of comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation is €1,000 per week.

Prostatectomy with the Da Vinci Robot at St. Zdislava Hospital

Robotic prostatectomy is performed through several minimal incisions in the abdominal cavity, significantly reducing blood loss, minimizing tissue damage, and speeding up the recovery process. The surgeon operates with a three-dimensional, highly magnified visualization of the surgical field, and the robot’s instruments precisely replicate the surgeon’s hand movements while eliminating tremors and other human factors.

One of the main advantages of this technique is the ability of more than 80% of patients to maintain an erection and control over urination after surgery. Hospitalization usually lasts 4 to 7 days, after which patients can return to active life.

The Department of Robotic Urological Surgery is led by experienced specialists, including professors and candidates of medical sciences, such as Dr. Jaroslav Tvaruzek, a recognized expert in the field of minimally invasive oncological urology, and Jan Doležel, who has performed over 3,000 robotic surgeries.

Da Vinci Robot-Assisted Prostatectomy Program

• Preoperative medical board consultation;
• Transfer from the airport;
• Preoperative examination;
• Surgery under general anesthesia, duration of the operation is up to 120 minutes;
• Hospitalization: accommodation in a single room with a private bathroom, Internet, and TV – 7 days;
• Three meals a day, fruits, hydration;
• Medications and consumables supplies;
• Daily doctor’s visit, 24-hour medical supervision;
• Final medical examination;
• Discharge summary in the patient’s native language;
• interpreter services;
• Transfer to the airport;
• Histological analysis of the removed tissue;
• Bathrobe, towels, cosmetic kit.

The cost of the complete prostatectomy program is €13,500

Features of Treatment at St. Zdislava Hospital

The clinic includes 5 inpatient departments and 147 hospital beds. Hospital of St. Zdislava employs 199 highly qualified professionals. Annually, the hospital performs more than 3,200 hospitalizations and approximately 2,000 surgeries.

The hospital features a modern intensive care unit and its own laboratory. The presence of specialists in geriatric medicine and cardiology allows the doctors to treat patients with severe comorbidities and the need for special care, as well as patients with increased surgical risk (osteomyelitis, diabetes mellitus, heart defects, advanced age, etc.).

The premium single rooms are fully equipped for patients with limited mobility, including a multifunctional hospital bed, a communication system with a nurse, a TV, Wi-Fi, bathrobe, towels, and a spacious wardrobe for personal belongings. Each patient at the hospital is offered the opportunity to create an individual nutrition plan.