Yale Surgeons Perform Advanced Robotic Prostate Procedure
Dr. Isaac Kim utilized a single-port robotic system to treat a 74-year-old patient's prostate cancer.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Men’s Health
Live Poll
Do you trust that new surgical technologies lead to better health outcomes for your own care?
In late 2025 or 2026, Dr. Isaac Kim performed a specialized single-port robotic prostate surgery on 74-year-old James E. Golden at the Yale New Haven Health System. The successful operation allowed Golden to recover from prostate cancer through a minimally invasive approach.
Why it matters
The single-port method is designed to reduce postoperative pain and bleeding while shortening hospital stays and accelerating recovery for patients. This surgical advancement provides an alternative to traditional methods for treating a disease that remains the most common cancer in men, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer.
Official statistics report 266,307 new prostate cancer cases in the United States in 2023, while 34,815 males died from the disease in 2024. The procedure performed on the patient required only a 1-inch incision and utilized a robot with three instruments.
The players
Dr. Isaac Kim
He is the chairman of the department of urology at the Yale School of Medicine.
James E. Golden
He is a 74-year-old resident of Rowayton, Connecticut, who successfully recovered from prostate cancer.
Yale New Haven Health System
It is the academic health system where the surgery was performed.
The details
The surgical process relies on a robot, a camera, and three instruments inserted through a single incision to remove cancerous tissue. This technique marks a shift in how surgeons navigate the anatomy of the prostate to minimize trauma to surrounding healthy tissue.
Timeline
In 2023, 266,307 new prostate cancer cases were reported in the United States.
In 2024, 34,815 prostate cancer deaths occurred in the United States.
James E. Golden underwent surgery in late 2025 or 2026.
The Big Picture
This procedure follows a pattern set by the Yale School of Medicine urology department's robotic surgery program in advancing minimally invasive treatment options. It reflects a broader evolution in medical science toward reducing patient trauma in oncological operations.
Patients seeking treatment for prostate cancer may experience shorter hospital stays and less postoperative pain when surgeons use single-port robotic techniques. These methods potentially improve physical recovery times compared to traditional surgical procedures.
The takeaway
Minimally invasive robotic surgery continues to evolve as a critical tool for improving patient recovery in oncology. Individuals concerned about prostate health should consult their doctors regarding the latest surgical options available in their area.
Further reading
Learn more about advancements in Men’s Health topics at the Yale New Haven Health System.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hartfort Courant.
Live Poll
Do you trust that new surgical technologies lead to better health outcomes for your own care?
