During this procedure, know as ureteroscopy, a small camera is passed through the bladder and up the ureter – the tube that drains your kidney to the bladder – to the kidney, so that kidneys stones can be broken up with a laser, or removed.
If stones are too big for ureteroscopy, this procedure, also know as Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) can remove them using a keyhole incision and a larger camera into the kidney.
This procedure, known as laparoscopic nephrectomy is ‘key-hole’ surgery to remove the kidney. This is performed under a general anaesthetic and there may be a number of reasons for the procedure. Some people may be discharged the day after surgery, although in some cases patients may be in hospital for up to five days.
This type of surgery, also know as prostatectomy surgery / TURPs – transurethral resection of the prostate, is a procedure to remove part of the prostate gland using a camera passed through the urethra. The prostate gland is situated in the male pelvis, below the urinary bladder and this procedure is used to treat a number of conditions affecting the prostate.
This detailed test, known as a cystometogram, is required to help work out what problem is causing bladder symptoms. A small tube is placed in the bladder with the patient awake and the pressures in the bladder are measured as it is filled.
This is an operation to remove the prostate but via six small incisions, each of approximately 1 to 3 cm in length.
During the operation, the surgeon will also sometimes remove some lymph glands from the side of the prostate. The surgeon then proceeds with removal of your prostate and the two sacs behind the prostate (seminal vesicles). The bladder is then joined to the water pipe (urethra) which runs along the penis so that you can pass urine normally. A tube (catheter) is left in place for seven days to allow the join to heal.
This type of surgery is used to treat a prostate with is very large and not suitable to be removed. It’s also known as holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and uses pulses of laser beam to remove tissue that is blocking urine flow through the prostate.
This procedure uses small metal clips to pin back the prostate that is growing into the water pipe (urethra) to help with prostate and bladder symptoms. It can be performed under general or local anaesthetic. However, it isn’t appropriate for all patients with prostate enlargement.
A prostate biopsy can be required if patients are concerned about prostate cancer. This is done under ultrasound guidance and a probe is inserted into the rectum. The skin is numbed with some local anaesthetic and a needle is passed through the skin just behind the scrotum to take the biopsy.
Bladder camera investigation
Bladder camera investigation, known as a cystoscopy procedure, is where a camera is passed into the bladder. This can be done under local anaesthetic with the patient awake or a general anaesthetic.
The flexible diagnostic cystoscopy procedure is performed whilst the patient is awake using a small flexible camera and takes a few minutes.
A rigid diagnostic cystoscopy is performed under a general anaesthetic using a large rigid camera. There may be several reasons why this is chosen as the best way to manage someone’s problem rather than a local anaesthetic cystoscopy. Biopsies can be taken if required using an instrument through the camera. The majority of cases are done as day case procedures.
This procedure, known as cystoscopy and urethral dilatation, is carried out if the water pipe that drains the bladder (urethra) is tight. This can be stretched under a short general anaesthetic and sometimes a rubber tube (catheter) is put in afterwards for a few days. Most patients can go home and come back for it to be removed.
During a cystoscopy and botox procedure, botulinum injections are put in the bladder to help treat overactive symptoms where patients pass urine to often and urgently. This can be done under a general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic.
Genital Procedures
A complete removal of the foreskin, known as circumcision, is performed under a general anaesthetic as a day case in most cases. Dissolvable stiches are used to re-attach the skin.
The frenulum is the band of tissue between the foreskin and the underside of the top of the penis. If this becomes tight it can cause problems. A frenuloplasty procedure uses cuts and stitches to stop it being tight and can be done under general or local anaesthetic.
Known as a frenuloplasty and preputioplasty, sometimes this procedure can be performed for a tight foreskin that does not require complete removal. The frenulum can be treated and some cuts in the opening of the foreskin can make it less tight.
A hydrocele is a fluid collection around the testicle. This can be drained under a general anaesthetic and some stiches are put in the sac that the testicle sits, to reduce the risk that the fluid recurs.