|  Dr Raji Kooner is a Consultant Urological Surgeon whose main interest is prostate disease. He graduated from The University of Sydney with Honours in 1985 and completed formal training in general surgery and urology in 1996.
Raji pioneered the Robotic Prostate Cancer Surgical Programme at St Vincent’s Hospital performing the first case in NSW and 75% of all robotic radical prostatectomies in the first year.
To date Dr Kooner has performed over 320 robotic prostatectomies for prostate cancer, the largest number at St Vincent’s Hospital and indeed the largest series in NSW.
Dr Kooner’s strength is his surgical expertise and technical ability, particularly in minimally invasive surgery. He is in a unique position in that he can offer patients the option of open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery. He has had extensive experience in open radical prostatectomy and this data has been presented at multiple conferences including the World Urology Conference (SIU 2004). He was heavily involved in laparoscopic prostatectomy and organised a major conference in this with the world expert, Dr Guilloneau in 2004. He has performed a significant volume of these laparoscopic cases. He has formally presented his data (New South Wales Urology Conference, 2006 and the Australasian Urology Society Meeting, February 2007).
Data on his robot assisted surgeries have recently been presented at the European Association Urology Conference 2009, The World Urology Conference SIU 2007 and the Australian Urology Conference 2008 and 2009.
This data has shown results equivalent to published overseas series with excellent cancer control, urine continence and erectile function. Patients have hence benefited from more accurate, precise surgery. They have also had the obvious benefit of minimally invasive surgery with > 90% of patients being discharged day 2 or day 3 post-operatively with minimal pain, infection and blood loss (average 80ml versus more than 600ml in open surgery). There are exceptionally few complications in his series.
Key Features in Dr Kooner’s robotic prostate experience are:-
- Performed first robot assisted radical prostatectomy in NSW- performing over 75% of cases in first year
- Has performed over 300 robotic (minimally invasive) prostate cancer surgeries to date- the largest series in NSW.
- Is one of very few surgeons in NSW who does not select patients. i.e he operates on all patients including those with difficult prostates, large patients or patients who have undergone previous surgery.
- He was the first Australian surgeon to perform perform a robot assisted retrograde nerve sparing prostatectomy and the first to perform a posterior reconstruction repair of the pelvic floor with the robot in Australia.
- He is the only robotic surgeon to routinely use frozen sections (with the pathologist immediately analysing removed tissue) in theatre thereby allowing modifications of the operation to be performed if unexpected cancer beyond the prostate is found. This allows the surgeon to remove more tissue to try and improve cancer clearance. Recent data at the American Urological Association Conference has shown this significantly improves operative outcomes.
- In performing over 300 radical robot assisted prostatectomies, Dr Kooner has thus far not had a single patient that has required a transfusion.
- He has been personally mentored and regularly visits and updates his skills with all the major pioneers in robotic and laparoscopic surgery including Dr Vip Patel (Orlando, FL. USA), Dr Mani Menon (Henry Ford Hospital Detroit, Ill USA), Dr Tom Aherling ( UCLA Hospital, Los Angeles, Dr Betrand Guilloneau (Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY USA), Dr Claude Abbou (Creteil Hospital, Paris, FR) , Dr Chris Eden ( Basingstoke, UK), Dr Guy Vallancien (Institue Montsoue, Paris FR) and Dr Indirbir Gill (Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA)
- He has mentored surgeons in robotic surgery both overseas and in Australia (including other surgeons at St Vincent’s Hospital)
- He regularly presents and attends international conferences keeping abreast of all the latest developments and is actively involved in prostate cancer research.
- He prides himself on regularly reviewing his operative data and outcomes so to hone his surgical technique, thereby achieving operative results that are equivalent with the world’s best.
Other robotic innovations include:-
- Performed first robot assisted nephrectomy for kidney cancer in Australia.
- First surgeon to perform a complete robot assisted pyeloplasty (kidney reconstruction) in Australia.
- First surgeon in Australia to perform a robot assisted adrenal gland removal.
If you have any queries regarding robotic surgery or wish a second opinion on prostate cancer, please contact Dr Kooner’s office directly on 8382 6980 or by email rkooner@stvincents.com.au. We guarantee an obligation free response within 7 days of the request.
NB – this website is in development. We have included some overseas links that you may find useful. davinciprostatectomy.com
Welcome
This site provides an overall picture
of a rapidly changing and highly important area of men's
health—prostate cancer and its effective treatment.
A wide variety of information has been assembled here to
aid patients, their families and their friends to quickly
access vitally needed perspectives on the care of the prostate,
including breakthroughs in minimally invasive approaches
to prostate surgery.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most
common form of cancer found in males in the Australia. 12% of Australian men will be diagnosed with the
disease during their lifetime. For a large majority of these
men, treatment for prostate cancer results in positive outcomes
and a return to good health.
With greater awareness of the high incidence
of the disease, it is now being found earlier and mortality
rates are declining. This fact, coupled with new medical
treatment options, provide new promise for victims of prostate
cancer. The vast majority of these patients will go on to
live active and productive lives after
treatment. Your urologist
will explain the range of options available to you to treat
the disease.
da Vinci ® Prostatectomy
If your urologist recommends surgery
to treat your prostate cancer, you may be a candidate for
a new, less invasive approach to surgery called da Vinci®
Prostatectomy. This approach to prostatectomy provides access
to the internal anatomy through five small incisions. The
surgeon is empowered to perform a very precise, nerve-sparing
operation with the da Vinci ® Surgical System.
For the patient, da Vinci ® Prostatectomy may result
in more complete eradication of cancer, retention of bladder
control and potency.
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