Urology

Urology

Urology is the branch of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the urinary and male and femalegenital tracts. Commonly treated problems include bladder and kidney stones, diseases of the prostate gland, male infertility, erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

The Centers of Urology at Apollo Hospitals provide diagnostic and surgical services for all genitourinary disorders. Areas of expertise include Renal Transplantation, Uro-oncology (urological cancers), Reconstructive Urology, Endo-urology for stone diseases (including Flexible Ureteroscopy, Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Laparoscopic Nephrectomy), Neuro-Urology with urodynamic facility, Andrology for treatment of male infertility and erectile dysfunction (including prosthetic surgery), Female Urology and Paediatric Urology.

The team of Urologists at Apollo Hospitals, continuously seek to develop ways to improve surgical results while reducing recovery time and side effects. They practise advanced surgical techniques including those for bladder preservation and diseases of the prostate, treatment of benign inflammatory and infectious disorders, diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones, all types of voiding dysfunction (including incontinence, obstruction and reconstruction of the upper and lower urinary tract), male infertility, and impotence. Surgical diseases of the adrenal gland are also treated.

Urinary Incontinence management for women

Urinary problems can affect women of all age groups. The problems are such that they can affect their day-to-day chores; restrict their personal, family and social activities and ultimately, the quality of their life. Compounding reasons can even lead to the condition of depression and sometimes unpleasantness in married life. It is important that women shed their inhibitions, step out and seek medical help at the earliest, rather than assume that these minor conditions will disappear soon or may not lead to serious conditions later on. The most common urinary problems encountered are: recurrent urinary infection, urine leak, frequency, urgency, and urge-leak.

The most common urinary problems encountered are: recurrent urinary infection, urine leak, frequency, urgency, and urge-leak. Common symptoms for urinary infection include – burning pain during or after passing urine, lower tummy pain, back-ache, fever or chills, blood in the urine, frequency, urge or leak. Vaginal infections precipitate or coexist with urinary infections. Urine leak could be due to urge-leak or secondary to stress-leak. Other problems include – difficulty in starting to pass urine(require pressure in lower tummy to start to urinate) or have poor flow or the sense of incomplete emptying. Diabetes, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, Lumbar disc prolapse, Spinal Injuries etc. can affect the bladder – In most conditions, timely intervention has proved effective with proper evaluation and appropriate treatment. It is imperative that women with any of the above symptoms/ indications relating to urinary problems visit an Urologist at the earliest – treat the condition in the early stage itself, thereby preventing compounding serious or chronic conditions like urosepsis and kidney failure.

Key Procedures

Urologic Oncology

The Centers offer specialized treatment of urologic malignancy with emphasis on the management of patients with cancers of the kidney (radical nephrectomy), bladder (radical cystectomy), prostate (radical prostatectomy), testis and penis. Patients benefit from innovative surgical techniques for treatment of pelvic and retroperitoneal malignancy as well as reconstructive efforts including “neo bladder”. A multidisciplinary approach is used with all cancer patients, with regular interactions with faculty from both Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy.

Reconstructive Surgery

We have expertise in all areas of urinary tract, pelvic and genital reconstruction, including treatment of abnormalities resulting from injury, disease or surgical therapy. Faculty surgeons have extensive experience in both upper and lower urinary tract reconstruction including treating complex urethral strictures using buccal mucosa.

Laparoscopy (Surgery through a “Keyhole”)

Apollo Hospitals has a rapidly developing program in Laparoscopic Urologic surgery ranging from ablative and reconstructive renal surgery. Traditional surgery usually requires long, deep incisions and a lengthy recovery period. Minimally invasive surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called an endoscope, which is inserted through a small incision. Laparoscopic nephrectomy (Removal of kidney through key hole) is replacing open nephrectomy throughout the world and is routinely performed here as well.

Endourology

Patients have access to a full spectrum of urologic endoscopic equipment and techniques including both flexible and rigid instrumentation. Techniques include trans-urethral surgery of the urethra, prostate, bladder, ureter and kidney, and percutaneous renal surgery. Kidney stones are removed through keyhole (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) and ureteric stones are removed through “microsurgery” (telescopic surgery). The latest methods of minimally invasive stone surgery are also available, with instrumentation for Ultrasonic Lithotripsy and Pneumatic lithotripsy.

Andrology

The Urologists at Apollo Hospitals specialize in the diagnosis of impotence, reconstructive microvascular surgery, and pharmacological treatment for sexual dysfunction. A variety of treatment options, such as oral agents, Caverject (an injectable therapy), and a prosthetic inflatable penile implant, are used and tailored to fit both the patient’s underlying patho-physiology and lifestyle. Assessment and treatment for male infertility is also provided, and microsurgical procedures (reverse vasectomy), vasectomy and epididymal aspiration are performed. The hospital offers the most advanced treatment available for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, commonly called BPH or enlarged prostate.

Neuro-urology

Neuropathic bladders secondary to trauma (Spinal cord trauma) and neurologic diseases like stroke and Parkinson’s disease are evaluated and managed. Assessment may include complex neuro-urodynamic evaluation to better characterize the urinary continence dysfunction. Treatment options include medical, surgical and/or prosthetic alternatives.

Uro-Gynecology

The subspecialty of Urogynecology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of those urinary tract disorders most prevalent in women. These include urinary incontinence and pelvic floor prolapse, voiding dysfunction, recurrent urinary tract infection, urethral syndrome and interstitial cystitis.

Pediatric Urology

The Pediatric Urology Service treats congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary system in children. Reconstructive surgery for hypospadias, cryptorchidism, and other genital abnormalities is usually performed on an ambulatory surgery or short-stay basis.