Mirko from Vinkovci was among the first patients in IMC Priora – and in Croatia – to undergo surgery with the help of the Da Vinci robotic system.
During a routine urological check-up, nothing initially indicated that anything was wrong with his prostate. However, the doctor referred Mirko for a PSA blood test, and the results suggested there might be a problem.
“It turned out that my PSA, which I hadn’t even heard of until then, was elevated. After we repeated the test, the value was even higher, which raised the alarm. I had to undergo an MRI scan, which revealed cancer, later confirmed by a prostate biopsy,” begins Mirko from Vinkovci.
Da Vinci System – a revolution in prostate treatment
He later saw a television report about the International Medical Center Priora and its sophisticated Da Vinci robotic system, which has introduced a revolution in the treatment of prostate cancer.
“I decided to find Dr. Tomislav Kalem, and we quickly got in touch. He explained everything to me in detail – what the prostate is, what cancer means – and told me it could be treated easily without any problems regarding incontinence, potency, or anything else. Dr. Kalem also showed me the Da Vinci robotic system. I saw that it was brand new, researched it online, and found out that it’s truly a top-tier device, the world standard,” he continues.
Although he already had surgery scheduled in Zagreb, he decided to entrust his health to the medical team at IMC Priora in Čepin. His decision was supported by family members working in healthcare in Germany, who are well acquainted with the professionalism and expertise of Dr. Georg Schön, under whose mentorship the first Da Vinci surgeries were performed at Priora – and in Croatia. Mirko was among the first patients in this private hospital to have prostate cancer surgery with the help of this revolutionary robot.
Da Vinci Method – greater safety and faster recovery
Radical prostatectomy: Da Vinci is a minimally invasive surgical method in which the entire prostate affected by cancer is removed, along with the seminal vesicles, and in some cases, nearby lymph nodes. This method represents the gold standard in prostate cancer treatment, thanks to its greater safety, reduced invasiveness, and faster patient recovery compared to conventional surgery.
The robot’s arms have remarkable mobility, with a range of motion up to 540 degrees, allowing Da Vinci to achieve exceptional precision and minimal incisions.
Unlike his acquaintances who underwent robotic prostate surgery in Hamburg and even in Israel, this man from Vinkovci did not have to travel far.
“After the surgery, I felt no pain, and two hours later, I picked up a book and read until four in the morning. The nurse came in every so often to check if I was in pain. I wasn’t in any pain; the book was interesting, and I wanted to finish it. After that, I fell asleep as usual,” Mirko says with a smile.
Da Vinci experience – returning to a normal life
Five days after the surgery, he was sitting in a restaurant having lunch with his family and a friend who had undergone prostate cancer surgery two months earlier, using the conventional method.
“My friend was surprised that I could sit for two hours without any pain, that I didn’t have a catheter, and that I wasn’t constantly going to the toilet. It took me ten days to return to normal activities, including work. A month after the surgery, I was already riding my bike and lifting my granddaughter onto my shoulders. There were no problems at all. I didn’t need radiation therapy, I’m not taking any medication, and I get my PSA tested every three months – everything is excellent. Even the stitches fell out on their own.
I don’t think about the illness anymore – it’s as if it never happened,” Mirko concludes.
