Understanding Endourology: Minimally Invasive Solutions for Urological Conditions

Endourology is a specialisation in urology that refers to minimally invasive surgical techniques that are used to view and perform surgery on the urinary tract.

Endourology procedures involve the insertion of endoscopes and other various instruments into small incisions, however, most of the procedures involve using the existing channels of the urinary tract.

The procedure is usually performed on the urinary tract but can extend to other organs. Endourology has seen advances in recent years thanks to advances in microscope and robotics technology.

Endourology is different from normal Urology procedures. New technology has allowed for minimally invasive, internally performed surgeries, requiring small incisions rather than larger more intrusive incisions.

Types of Procedure

Eurology is also known as minimally invasive urologic surgery or laparoscopic surgery. The procedure does not require extensive incisions, as small cameras known as endoscopes can be inserted through small incisions in the urethra, bladder or ureter, before being used to locate problems and perform operations.

Other thin instruments such as lasers, small tongs, scalpels, cautery and stone collection baskets are then inserted to perform surgery.

Some Endourological procedures include:
• Cystoscopy, the endoscopy of the urinary bladder via the urethra, often used for the treatment of bladder stones and tumours. This method can also be used for removing obstructing prostate tissue in males, a procedure known as Transurethral Resurrection of the Prostate or TURP.

• Ureteroscopy, the examination of the upper urinary tract, performed with a ureteroscope that is inserted through the urethra before the bladder, before the ureter. Ureteroscope is used to treat conditions of the ureter such as stones and tumours.

• Urethroscopy, the examination of the urethra, used for the treatment of blockages in the urethra.

• Laparoscopy, a keyhole surgery procedure performed via the abdomen or pelvis through a small incision, used to access the organs such as the bladder and kidneys.

• Celioscopy, a keyhole surgery used to operate within the abdomen or the pelvic cavities.

• Pelviscopy, a pelvic Laparoscopy, a keyhole surgery used to examine organs within the pelvis.

• Nephroscopy, a procedure used to treat stones and tumours within the kidney lining.

Who needs Endourology?

Endourology can be extremely useful for many patients, however, an evaluation with an endourologist or laparoscopist is first essential. Your medical condition and your particular condition will be evaluated, before the right procedure is selected. Conditions that may be benefited from Endourology include:
• Kidney stones and tumours
• Bladder stones and tumours
• Blockages of the urethra and the ureter
• Enlarged prostate in males

If you have any questions regarding Endourology procedures be sure to contact a specialist.

Dr Arianayagam is an expert in the field of urological cancer surgery, and the treatment of urological conditions. He is one of the most experienced cancer surgeons in Sydney.
If you have any further questions about cloudy urine and would like to book an appointment, please feel free to contact or call on 1300 307 990.

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