How are endourological procedures performed
Endourology is also called minimally invasive urological surgery or laparoscopic surgery. The
endourological surgery is performed by inserting tiny instruments like lasers, miniature stone
retrieval baskets, scalpels graspers and cautery through the urethra, bladder or ureter to
execute the surgery without any large incisions
Different types of endourological surgeries
-
Urethroscopy is performed when the surgeon has to get a thorough look into the urethra or
bladder and draw some tissues from either area as a sample to test and diagnose the problem.
The most common use of this procedure is treating strictures of urethra blockage.
-
Cystoscopy is the process of looking into the bladder using a miniature and thin camera
called the cystoscope. It is delicately inserted into the bladder through the urethra to
allow the doctor to see inside the bladder. A few tiny instruments can be passed down the
cystoscopy to treat some bladder problems
-
Nephroscopy is a non-surgical procedure that allows doctors to examine and evaluate the
inside of kidneys. Most commonly used to treat kidney stones, kidney lining tumours, and
other ailments in the upper urinary tract, nephroscopy uses a tiny instrument called
nephroscope whose thin tube part is inserted passed the skin.
-
Ureteroscopy is one of the most effective ways of dealing with urine blockages and tumours
in the ureter. It allows the surgeon to have a clear view of the urinary tract, break or
remove stones, or some suspicious tissue. In some cases the surgeon uses this procedure as a
part of shock wave lithotripsy, to break kidney stones.
-
Laparoscopy is a keyhole surgical procedure performed by making tiny incisions in the
abdomen or pelvis to access organs like bladder or kidneys
-
Pelviscopy or simply pelvic laparoscopy is a small surgical procedure conducted on the
organ within the pelvis through keyhole incisions.
Need for Endourology
Endourology is a very useful category of surgical procedures, however, its wise and smart to
visit and get evaluated by an endourologist or laparoscopist before opting for it. The doctor
considers the medical history of the patient along with the nature of his disease. This helps in
the selection of the right procedure. Conditions that can be treated with less invasive
surgeries of endourology include :
-
Stones and tumours in the bladder
-
Enlarged prostate in males
-
Stones and tumours in kidneys
-
Blockages in urethra and ureter
Endourology is a surgical speciality has been advancing constantly. A consistent effort is being
put-in to make surgeries as minimally invasive as possible. Several urological operations that
could once be conducted only through open surgeries are now being conducted with a laparoscope.
Technology has brought these revolutionary changes that simply the healing and recovery part for
patients. However, its critically important that urologists have the skill, training and
experience of using the surgical microscope and other instruments so as execute the surgery
flawlessly.