Introduction This information is for men who are troubled by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Healthcare professionals use the words ‘Lower urinary tract symptoms’ (or LUTS) to describe the problems they believe are related to the working of the bladder (which holds urine) and the urethra (the tube from the bladder to outside) through which urine passes when we urinate. …
Read moreLithotripsy
21st October 2016What is ESWL / lithotripsy?Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the application of special sound waves (shockwaves) which are directed through the skin and on to urinary tract stones. These shockwaves are produced by a machine called a lithotripter and are guided on to stones using either ultrasound or x-rays. The stones are broken up into tiny fragments which can then …
Read moreLaparoscopic nephrectomy
21st October 2016What is Laparoscopic Nephrectomy? Laparoscopic Nephrectomy is a minimal invasive procedure or ‘key-hole surgery’ to remove a kidney which was traditionally done by the ‘open’ method. It involves the use of a three or four ‘ports’ or cuts about 1cm each which allows access to the organ. A thin tube with a light and a camera on the end and …
Read moreIntravesical chemotherapy
21st October 2016What is Intravesical Chemotherapy? Intravesical Chemotherapy is a treatment given into the bladder. It contains a drug that destroys abnormal and possible cancerous cells. It is described as a cytotoxic drug and its name is Mitomycin-C. The treatment is a form of chemotherapy, but because it is given into the bladder and not the blood stream you should experience very …
Read moreIntravesical Botox injections
21st October 2016What is Botox? Botox or Botulinum Type-A is toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum. It is given intravesically (into the bladder) for muscle over activity. Botox acts by binding to the nerve endings of muscles, blocking the release of chemicals that cause the muscle to contract. Why am I having Botox?You have been diagnosed with ‘over active bladder syndrome’. …
Read moreintravesical BCG treatment
21st October 2016What is Intravesical Immunotherapy? Intravesical Immunotherapy is when a substance is placed into the bladder to stimulate an immune response. Intravesical Immunotherapy is used as a treatment for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer. This is cancer which is confined to the inner surface layer of the bladder. Immunotherapy stimulates your body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells within the bladder and …
Read moreHaematuria One-stop clinic
21st October 2016What is the Haematuria One-stop clinic? Your doctor has referred you to this clinic because blood has been found or seen in your urine. This clinic has been set up to save you having repeated visits to the hospital. For most patients all the investigations required to diagnose the cause of the blood in the urine will be undertaken in …
Read moreFlexible ureteroscopy for kidney stones (URS)
21st October 2016What is Ureteroscopy or URS?Ureteroscopy involves the passage of a small fibroptic instrument called a ureteroscope through the urethra and the bladder into the ureter. The urethra is the tube from the bladder through which the urine drains out. A ureter is the tube from the kidneys which drains urine into the bladder. Why do I need Ureteroscopy? Ureteroscopy is …
Read moreFlexible cystoscopy
21st October 2016What is flexible cystoscopy? A cystoscopy is an internal inspection of the bladder. It involves passing a small tube containing a miniature telescope along the urethra into the bladder. The urethra is the tube from your bladder through which urine drains. It is called flexible cystoscopy because the tube passed into the urethra can bend easily and freely. This allows …
Read more