If you’re researching robotic surgery and comparing options, you may come across the terms multi-port robotic surgery and single-port robotic surgery. Patients often ask me what the difference is—and why I now prefer a single-port robotic approach for many urologic procedures.
The simple reason: patients often recover faster and get back to normal life sooner.
My single-port robotic journey began in April 2024, when I performed my first surgery.
To this day, I have performed almost 200 single-port robotic surgeries.
Traditional multi-port robotic surgery uses several small incisions across the abdomen. This technique has been extremely effective and has improved surgical outcomes for years.
Single-port robotic surgery builds on that success by allowing the camera and instruments to be placed through one small incision, usually low on the abdomen and often hidden below the waistband.
Fewer incisions means:
Less disruption to the abdominal wall
Less post-operative discomfort
A smoother early recovery
For patients undergoing robotic prostate surgery, one of the biggest concerns is how quickly urinary control returns.
Both published data and my own clinical experience show that single-port robotic prostatectomy is associated with:
Earlier return of urinary continence, especially in the first 30–45 days
Fewer pads needed during early recovery
Excellent long-term continence outcomes comparable to multi-port surgery
The likely reason is that single-port surgery BETTER preserves the bladder neck and pelvic floor, which are critical for urinary control.
For patients, this often translates into more confidence and less frustration during recovery.
Patients usually care less about how surgery is performed and more about how they feel afterward. This is where single-port robotic surgery really stands out.
Many patients experience:
Less post-operative pain
No need for narcotic pain medication
Earlier walking and mobility
Same-day discharge
With only one incision instead of several, the body simply has less overall surgical trauma to heal from.
A common question is whether newer technology compromises results. The answer is reassuring: single-port robotic surgery offers the same level of precision and cancer control as multi-port approaches.
Clinical studies show:
Comparable cancer control outcomes
Similar surgical margin rates
Excellent visualization for precise dissection
Patients do not have to choose between effective treatment and a faster recovery—they can have both.
While medical outcomes come first, many patients appreciate the cosmetic benefits of single-port surgery:
One small, discreet incision
Less visible scarring
Reduced risk of discomfort at multiple incision sites
This is an added benefit on top of faster functional recovery.
I didn’t switch from multi-port to single-port robotic surgery because it was new technology. I definitely didn’t make the change because it was easier (in fact, it’s quite difficult to master). I made the change because I consistently saw:
Faster recovery for my patients
Earlier return of urinary continence
Less pain and downtime
The same high level of surgical precision
Not every patient is a candidate for single-port robotic surgery, and careful patient selection is important. However, for the right patients, it has become my preferred approach.
Choosing robotic surgery is an important decision. My goal is always to use the approach that offers the best balance of safety, effectiveness, and recovery.
If you are considering single-port robotic surgery in Fort Wayne, Indiana, or want to learn whether it is right for your condition, I’m happy to discuss your options and help you make an informed decision.
— Dr. Colin Linke
