When men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the concern is they won’t recover full bladder and sexual function, but a combination of robotics and 3D technology are helping make this delicate surgery more precise.

“This looks more like a movie theater, or IMAX theater for that matter,” Dr. Alok Shirivastava said of his operating room at the Cleveland Clinic Florida.

Using a robotic console and two 110-inch screens, Shirivastava and his operating assistants are able to see the areas they’re working on magnified in high definition 3D during surgery.

“It’s more precise and gentle on the patient because they are not unnecessarily touching or retracting tissue which does not need to be touched,” Shirivastava said.

That precision can improve the odds of preserving important nerves and tissue.

Ricardo Alvarez was amazed by his recovery after having the prostate removed with the new technology.

“Two weeks after surgery, I was doing my normal life,” the 47-year-old said. “My sexual function is normal. I have incontinence, but very minimal. I’m not worried about it.”

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