In addition to being one of the first laparoscopic radical prostatectomy programs in the United States, Sentara was also a pioneering institution in the development of robotic surgery. First using the da Vinci surgical robot in July 2004, the robotic program at Sentara has grown to using two high-tech robots for a variety of minimally-invasive surgeries, including radical prostatectomy.
The four fellowship trained urology specialists in da Vinci surgery at
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital have performed the highest number of da Vinci radical prostatectomies in the region.