Urology

Drawbacks Considerations Takeaway Button TURP and the prostate Having an enlarged prostate gland is part of growing older. As the prostate grows, it becomes harder for men to urinate and fully empty the bladder. This leads to more frequent and urgent bathroom trips and even sometimes overflow urine incontinence. Fortunately, there are several effective treatment options, including medications and surgeries that can shrink the prostate and relieve urinary symptoms. The most common surgery used to treat an enlarged prostate is called  transurethral resection of the prostate , also called TURP for short. TURP has been around for a long time. It has a solid track record but can have associated side effects perioperatively. These include low sodium levels in the blood, also known as  hyponatremia , as well as bleeding. A newer version of the procedure called “button TURP” is now available. Button TURP offers men an alternative to TURP, but is it safer or more eff...

What is urethral stricture? The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder so it can be expelled from the body. Usually the urethra is wide enough for urine to flow freely through it. When the urethra narrows, it can restrict urinary flow. This is known as a urethral stricture. Urethral stricture is a medical condition that mainly affects men. What are the causes of urethral stricture? Urethral stricture involves constriction of the urethra. This is usually due to tissue inflammation or the presence of scar tissue. Scar tissue can be a result of many factors. Young boys who have hypospadias surgery (a procedure to correct an underdeveloped urethra) and men who have penile implants have a higher chance of developing urethral stricture. A straddle injury is a common type of trauma that can lead to urethral stricture. Examples of straddle injuries include falling on a bicycle bar or getting hit in the area close to the scrotum. Other possible causes of ...

What is an endoscopy? An endoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor uses specialized instruments to view and operate on the internal organs and vessels of your body. It allows surgeons to see problems within your body without making large incisions. A surgeon inserts an endoscope through a small cut or an opening in the body such as the mouth. An endoscope is a flexible tube with an attached camera that allows your doctor to see. Your doctor can use forceps and scissors on the endoscope to operate or remove tissue for biopsy. Why do I need an endoscopy? Endoscopy allows your doctor to visually examine an organ without having to make a large incision. A screen in the operating room lets the doctor see exactly what the endoscope sees. Endoscopy is typically used to: help your doctor determine the cause of any abnormal symptoms you’re having remove a small sample of tissue, which can then be sent to a lab for further testing; this is called an endoscopic  ...