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The urinary tract is a complex system responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them from the body. When problems arise within this system, traditional surgery can be daunting. Thankfully, advancements in medical technology have led to the rise of endourological surgery, a minimally invasive approach to diagnosing and treating urinary tract conditions. In this blog, we will discuss one such advanced technology called endourology, and find out all the details about it including why it is done, how it is done, its types, advantages and more.
Synopsis
What is Endourology?
Endourology is a subspecialty of urology that utilises thin, flexible instruments called endoscopes to visualise and operate within the urinary tract. These procedures avoid large incisions, minimising recovery time and discomfort for patients. During an endourologic procedure, an endoscope is inserted through the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) or a small incision in the skin. A tiny camera at the tip of the endoscope transmits images to a screen, allowing the urologist to see inside the urinary tract.
Types of Endourological Procedures
Endourology encompasses a range of procedures for various urological conditions. Let's look into some of the most common procedures conducted by kidney stone specialists:
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Urethroscopy: This procedure examines the urethra for strictures (narrowing), kidney stone disease, or other abnormalities.
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Cystoscopy: A cystoscopy allows visualisation of the inside of the bladder. It can be used to diagnose stone disease, and tumours, and identify the cause of urinary bleeding. During this procedure, other instruments can be passed through the cystoscope to remove stones, perform biopsies, or treat strictures.
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Ureteroscopy: This procedure uses a thin, flexible scope to examine the ureters, the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Ureteroscopy can be used to diagnose and treat ureteral stones, tumours, and strictures.
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Nephroscopy: A nephroscopy is used to examine the inside of the kidney. It can be used to diagnose and treat kidney stones and tumours.
Advantages of Endourology
Compared to traditional open surgery, endourological surgery led by the kidney stone doctor in Patiala offers several advantages:
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Minimally invasive: Smaller incisions translate to less pain, scarring, and bleeding.
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Faster recovery: Most endourological procedures are outpatient, allowing patients to return home the same day.
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Shorter hospital stay: This reduces healthcare costs and allows for a quicker return to normal activities.
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Improved visualisation: Endoscopes provide a magnified view of the urinary tract, enabling more precise diagnosis and treatment.
Who is a Candidate for Endourology?
Endourology is not suitable for all urological conditions. The suitability of an endourological procedure depends on the specific condition, its severity, and the patient's overall health. Our expert urologist in Patiala will assess all the factors to decide whether endourology is the right option for you based on your individual situation.
Potential Complications of Endourology
As with any medical procedure, endourology carries some potential risks, These may include:
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Bleeding
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Injury to the urinary tract
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Incomplete stone removal (needing further intervention)
It is crucial to discuss any potential complications with your urologist before undergoing an endourological procedure.
Cost of Endourology Procedure in Patiala
As listed above there are different types of endourology procedures. All these procedures are differently priced. The hospital you are opting for, and health insurance may also directly impact the price of the procedure. Another factor that adds to the cost is the hospital stay, in case some complications appear during the procedure and you need to stay under observation for more than a day or two, it will impact your overall bill. The cost for these procedures can vary between INR 30,000 to 90,000.
Consult our urology hospital in Patiala if you need endourological surgery services.
Conclusion
Endourology offers a safe and effective approach to diagnosing and treating a variety of urological conditions. If you are experiencing urinary tract problems, consult our highly experienced urologist in Patiala to discuss if endourology might be a suitable option for you. We also invite you to read our latest blogs shared by the doctors on various trending health topics.
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