LAPAROSCOPY  IN  UROLOGY

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Urology deals with the surgical treatment of diseases of the genito urinary system - (kidney, ureter, bladder, penis & testis). Laparoscopic Urology achieves this through small key holes instead of large wounds on the body. This site is maintained for my patients  & any layperson who is interested in knowing about  Laparoscopic Urology.

What is LAPAROSCOPIC Surgery ? Instead of large incisions on the body, small 10 mm and 5 mm puncture wounds are made through which special telescopes and instruments are passed into the abdomen. The telescope will show the operative field on the monitor screen and watching this, the surgeon is able to use instruments through small key holes to perform many types of surgery.

The first laparoscopic Nephrectomy was performed in 1990 by Clayman. At present, all genitourinary organs from kidney to prostate to bladder have been successfully ablated laparoscopically. Many complex reconstructive procedures such as pyeloplasties (surgery for obstruction of the kidney) can be effectively done laparoscopically. Large stones in the urinary system, which are difficult to tackle by ESWL can be removed by Laparoscopy. It is now fairly well accepted that the best method to bring down an undescended intra-abdominal testis is by laparoscopy.

What are the advantages of Laparoscopy? The creation of small keyholes as against large wounds for surgery, decreases the stress on the body and facilitates early recovery. There is less trauma to the internal organs and the magnification produced by the equipment, greatly facilitates precision of surgery. The patient remains less number of days in hospital and can return to work earlier than open surgery. The small incision of laparoscopy, decreases postoperative pain around 20 times less than open surgery. Even though the surgical expense of Laparoscopic surgery is more, the total cost of the treatment of the disease is usually 20% less  than open surgery.

What are the disadvantages of Laparoscopy? There is a long learning curve for the procedure and hence cannot be offered by all departments. Expensive equipment and constant upgrading of this is required making it expensive for the hospital and the patient. However, the net cost of treatment of the disease for the patient is less expensive than open surgery.