Surgical Urology
Surgical Urology
Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery): with the laparoscopy, operations can be performed through small skin incisions in a way that is gentle on the muscles. This technique has been used in surgery for a long time, for example in gall bladder operations. In urology, this method has been established in the field of kidney and prostate surgery for several years. A further development of the laparoscopic technique is the robot-assisted technique (DaVinci®). Here, the surgeon can perform the desired operations much more precisely and with more rotation options via an operation console which is computer-assisted through 3D view (in the urology: radical prostatectomy (cancer operation of the prostate), kidney (tumour) operations with organ salvage and the radical bladder removal for cancer (cystectomy)).
Further topics of the operative urology (microsurgery, tumour surgery, incontinence surgeries, laser,...)
Microsurgery: on the urological side, microsurgery is used for varicose veins surgeries on the testicles and also for refertilisation (reconnection of the seminal ducts in case of a desire to have children after a vasectomy).
Tumour surgery: Tumour surgery In case of tumours of the kidneys, ureter, bladder, prostate, penis, testicles and epididymis, it is advisable to have surgery, appropriate follow-up treatment and aftercare at a specialised department, such as the urologischen Abteilung des KH der Barmherzigen Brüder.
Incontinence operations: There are numerous methods for incontinence treatment. In case of stress incontinence, “sling operations” have become the most efficient methods in recent years. If indicated there is alternatively the possibility of the laparoscopic, robot-assisted (DaVinci®) surgical technique, the sacral colpopexy.
Laser therapy: Various lasers are used in urology. For internal procedures (such as prostate reduction via the urethra) the holmium:YAG laser has been used for several years. Its depth of penetration into the tissue can be kept very low and can be controlled precisely. With high energy levels, tissue can be “cut” without bleeding by vaporizing. Even urinary and kidney stones can be gently shattered with the holmium:YAG laser under visual control.
