Accepting new patients · Second opinions · Concierge & out-of-network PPO welcome
Robotic surgery guide
Robotic bladder diverticulectomy
Removal of a bladder diverticulum — a pouch that bulges out through the bladder wall and traps urine — with repair of the bladder.
Illustration: BruceBlaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Surgery time
About 2–3 hours
Hospital stay
Usually 1 night
Urinary catheter
About 7–10 days
Back to desk work
Usually 1–2 weeks
Typical ranges for most patients. Your own plan may differ — Dr. Pooli will review what to expect with you.
Who it’s for
Patients with a large diverticulum causing incomplete bladder emptying, repeated urinary infections, bladder stones, blockage of the ureter, or a tumor inside the pouch.
Diverticula usually form from long-standing pressure, most often from an enlarged prostate, so treating the cause (for example with TURP or simple prostatectomy) is often part of the plan — sometimes during the same procedure.
How it works
The pouch is freed from surrounding tissue and removed at its neck, and the bladder wall is closed in layers. If the ureter enters the bladder at the diverticulum, it is reconnected to a healthy part of the bladder (ureteral reimplantation).
The removed tissue is examined by a pathologist.
What to expect
Before, during and after surgery
Step 1
Before surgery
- Cystoscopy and CT or MRI to map the diverticulum
- Urine test to treat any infection first
- Stop blood thinners as instructed
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight unless told otherwise
Step 2
During surgery
- General anesthesia
- 4–6 small incisions
- Pouch removed and bladder wall repaired
- Catheter placed while the bladder heals
Step 3
After surgery
- Walking the same day
- Bladder spasms and some blood in the urine are common at first
- Catheter removed in about 7–10 days, sometimes after a leak test (cystogram)
- No heavy lifting or straining for about 4–6 weeks
Possible risks
Robotic surgery is generally safe, and serious problems are uncommon. As with any operation, risks can include:
- Urine leak from the bladder repair
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Injury to the ureter, which may need reimplantation
- Bladder spasms
- Return of the diverticulum if the underlying blockage persists
When to call us
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Catheter not draining
- Heavy bleeding or clots in the urine
- Worsening belly pain
- Any other symptom that worries you
Call (424) 529-6755. For chest pain, trouble breathing or other emergencies, call 911.
This page is general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Every patient is different; your surgical plan, recovery timeline and instructions will be personalized at your consultation.
Ready to talk with Dr. Pooli?
New patients, second opinions, concierge and out-of-network PPO patients are welcome.