Urology - Minimally Invasive Urological Treatment

Urology - Minimally Invasive Urological Treatment

Urology is a branch of medical science that pertains to the diagnosis and treatment of the disorders of the urinary tract. Since its initial days, medical science has progressed, due to technological advancements and innovations. The medical sector heavily relies on technology  to offer better results than those provided by the previously used methods. 

Technology has enabled us to perform surgical procedures with minimal blood loss, scarring and other complications. Minimally invasive surgical techniques discussed in this article have reduced risk factors with regard to surgeries. They have transformed and improved urological surgeries in a way that has benefited both surgeons and patients.

What are minimally invasive urological treatments?

Surgery, as a medical procedure, has historically required open surgeries, by making cuts and incisions on the skin to reach the root cause/organ. Urologists have found it difficult to reach organs such as the kidney, bladder, ureter, etc. through conventional surgical techniques. They inflict damage to the nearby organs and often leave the patient with scars and other side effects. 

Minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) have enabled urologists to operate on these organs with minimum cuts and damages. This reduces trauma to the urinary tract, as surgeons use small tools laparoscopically (through small keyholes) to diagnose and treat kidney stones, prostate cancer and other urological problems. These minimally invasive treatments have proved to be reliable surgical means for urology specialists and doctors.

To know more, consult a urology doctor near you or visit a urology hospital near you.

Who qualifies for minimally invasive urological treatment?

As a primary form of minimally invasive urological surgery, endoscopic surgery is a medical procedure that involves using an optical device attached to a tube. This device is inserted into the skin using minimum incisions and small-sized cuts, and displays feeds on a computer screen. This helps a urologist navigate through the organs of the urinary tract, without damaging them. 

Patients who need to undergo diagnosis or treatment of the organs of their urinary tracts require laparoscopic surgeries. If you suffer from an issue related to your kidneys, bladder, prostate, ureter, uterus, etc., you might require minimally invasive urological treatment. You should seek medical attention from a urology hospital near you. 

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

Why is minimally invasive urological surgery performed?

During endoscopic surgery, your surgeon will make various small incisions and then your surgeon will insert a thin, flexible tube with a video camera through that small incision. This enables the urologist to diagnose issues in your urinary tract, and look for any early signs of an infection, disorder, disease or obstruction.

This technique is used to treat kidney stones, kidney cysts, kidney blockage, vaginal prolapse, prostate cancer and gallbladder problems. Minimally invasive urological surgeries display better results than traditional surgery, without putting a patient’s life at risk.

What are the types of minimally invasive urological treatment?

Your urologist may recommend a minimally invasive surgery, depending on the exact nature of your problem, symptoms, severity and the diagnosis. The different types of minimally invasive urological treatments are:

• Robotic surgery: Your doctor places small robotic instruments in your body which help him or her to access hard-to-reach body parts and allows him or her to perform the surgery safely and precisely. Robotic arms assist the surgeon in performing this surgery with greater accuracy.
• Laparoscopic surgery: As the primary form of MIS, small incisions are made and a tiny tube is passed through the cuts, to allow a video camera and special surgical instruments to pass into the body. This enhances the visual input and helps a doctor to navigate through the tract or remove a part through the small cut.
• Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: This technique is used to treat and remove large kidney stones through a small keyhole cut. High frequency sound waves produce vibrations that break down large kidney stones into smaller ones and a vacuum is used to remove the fragments through the same keyhole cut.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive urological treatments?

These procedures may require a longer duration than traditional surgeries, but patients respond better to minimally invasive surgeries. Some of the major benefits of minimally invasive urological treatments are:

• Less pain
• Quick recovery
• Less blood loss
• Less scarring
• Low risk of infection
• Short hospital stay
• Less trauma for patients
• Less discomfort
• Reduced absence from work

What are the risks?

Every surgical process has risk factors and MIS treatments are no exception. This technique reduces the common risk factors, but there can still be risks with regard to anesthesia, bleeding, and infection. 

Sometimes, there is a risk of a MIS surgery being converted into an open surgery. This happens when the laparoscope is unable to navigate further into the organs or fails to reach the expected location. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor and decide on the best option for you.

Conclusion

Thus, minimally invasive urological treatment is a highly beneficial alternative for urologists. MIS procedures are also beneficial for biopsy, where a urologist takes a small sample of the tissue from the laparoscope, to determine the level of malignancy of an infected tissue.

This technological advancement has enabled urologists to treat their patients effectively, while maintaining minimum pain, scars and post-operative complications.