A large number of surgeries to treat medical conditions of the kidney and ureter -- including malignant cancers -- may be performed with minimally invasive operative techniques, including laparoscopic surgery, percutaneous renal surgery, cystoscopic and ureteroscopic surgery, and lithotripsy.Laparoscopy and other minimally invasive endoscopic procedures offer excellent results while minimizing pain and discomfort for the patient. Quicker return to work and normal activity and decreased requirement for pain killing medications are the most important aspects for the patient though the surgery is specialized and involves the use of advanced laparoscopic instrumentation.
What is laparoscopic surgery ?
Laparoscopic surgery is performed using an instrument inserted through small ports (openings) in the patient's abdominal wall. The physician visualizes the surgery through television monitors. Highly sophisticated cameras, monitors and robotics are used for these procedures.
What procedures are used for urological cancer and non-cancerous urological diseases and disorders ?
LAPAROSCOPIC CANCER SURGERY:
Laparoscopic Radical
Nephrectomy
Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
Renal Cryo Ablation for Kidney
Cancer
Laparoscopic Radical Nephrouretectomy
Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy
OTHER LAPAROSCOPIC UROLOGIC SURGERY
Laparoscopic Simple Nephrectomy
Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty
Laparoscopic Renal Cyst Decortication
What is percutaneous renal surgery?
Percutaneous renal surgery may be used to remove large kidney stones and to treat certain other renal conditions that otherwise would require open surgery. Large kidney stones are fragmented and removed through the use of electrohydraulic, ultrasonic or laser lithotripsy through a small opening in the patient's back.
What is cystoscopic and ureteroscopic surgery >|?
Miniature scopes introduced through the urethra allow physicians to visualize the lining of the kidney, ureter and bladder. Selected stones and other renal conditions are treated with the use of these scopes and a variety of miniature instruments, including lasers. Most of these surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures, and patients are sent home without catheters.
What is lithotripsy ?
Approximately 80 % of stones may be treated with lithotripsy (shock wave) treatments, which negates the need for surgical intervention. Patients are placed under light anesthesia as shock waves are used to fragment stones located in the kidney or ureter. Patients pass these stone fragments over the next few weeks.
The Division of Urologic Surgery works with the Midwest Stone Institute, which operates two lithotriptors located at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
What is the Washington University advantage ?
The section of Urological Surgery in the Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery has been in the forefront of urologic laparoscopy since 1990 when the first laparoscopic removal of a kidney was performed at Washington University by Dr. Ralph V. Clayman.
Since then, the laparoscopy team in Urology has been responsible for many other world firsts. including laparoscopic removal of tumor-bearing kidneys and reconstructive renal and ureteral procedures.
In addition, this team has also been among the leaders in percutaneous renal surgery and ureteral endoscopic surgery for kidney stone disease. Indeed, at Washington University, in the minimally invasive unit, no patient in the past decade has required open stone surgery.
The fellowship in laparoscopy and minimally invasive urologic surgery at Washington University is internationally recognized as one of the premier training centers. To date, the greatest number of nationally recognized laparoscopic urologic surgeons have been trained at Washington University School of Medicine.