urologist

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A urologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions related to the urinary tract in both men and women, as well as the male reproductive system. Urologists are surgical specialists, meaning they not only provide medical management of conditions but also perform surgeries.

Here’s an overview of common urologic surgeries and why they’re done:

🧵 1. Prostate Surgery

  • Types:
    • TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate): Removes part of an enlarged prostate (often due to BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia).
    • Prostatectomy: Surgical removal of all or part of the prostate, usually for prostate cancer.
  • Reasons: Prostate cancer, BPH, urinary retention.

🧵 2. Kidney Surgery

  • Types:
    • Nephrectomy: Removal of part or all of a kidney (e.g., for kidney cancer).
    • Pyeloplasty: Repair of the ureteropelvic junction to improve urine drainage.
  • Reasons: Kidney cancer, obstruction, stones, injury.

🧵 3. Bladder Surgery

  • Types:
    • Cystectomy: Removal of the bladder, often for invasive bladder cancer.
    • Bladder augmentation or reconstruction.
    • TURBT (Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor): Removes tumors via the urethra.
  • Reasons: Bladder cancer, bladder dysfunction, injuries.

🧵 4. Ureter Surgery

  • Procedures:
    • Ureteral reimplantation: Often done in children with vesicoureteral reflux.
    • Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy: To break and remove kidney/ureter stones.
  • Reasons: Stones, obstruction, reflux.

🧵 5. Testicular Surgery

  • Types:
    • Orchiectomy: Removal of one or both testicles (e.g., for testicular cancer).
    • Orchiopexy: Moving an undescended testicle into the scrotum.
  • Reasons: Testicular cancer, torsion, undescended testicles.

🧵 6. Penile Surgery

  • Types:
    • Penile prosthesis implantation: For erectile dysfunction unresponsive to medication.
    • Circumcision: Removal of the foreskin.
    • Surgery for Peyronie’s disease: Corrects curvature of the penis.
  • Reasons: ED, structural problems, infections.

🧵 7. Stone Removal Procedures

  • Procedures:
    • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL): For large kidney stones.
    • Ureteroscopy: For ureter or kidney stones.
    • Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL): Uses sound waves to break up stones non-invasively.
  • Reasons: Kidney and ureter stones causing pain, infection, or obstruction.

🧵 8. Incontinence Surgery

  • Procedures:
    • Sling procedures: For stress urinary incontinence.
    • Artificial urinary sphincter: Mostly used in men after prostate surgery.
  • Reasons: Urinary leakage due to weakened pelvic floor or sphincter.

🔧 Minimally Invasive Options

Many urologic surgeries are now done using:

  • Laparoscopy (small incisions and cameras)
  • Robotic surgery (e.g., Da Vinci system)
  • Endoscopic/Transurethral surgery (through the urethra, no incisions)

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