Nephrology and Urology Care with Unihealth

Nephrology and Urology

Nephrology

Nephrology is the medical specialty focused on kidneys and their diseases. Nephrologists diagnose and treat conditions like chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, and kidney stones. They also manage complications such as hypertension and anemia, and provide treatments like dialysis and kidney transplantation for patients with kidney failure. Research in nephrology aims to improve understanding and treatment options for kidney diseases.

Kidney Transplantation

Procedure Steps

Donor kidney procurement: If the kidney is from a deceased donor, the organ is retrieved surgically. If it's from a living donor, the donor undergoes a separate surgery to remove the kidney.
Recipient surgery: The recipient's damaged kidneys are usually left in place, and the donor kidney is implanted in the lower abdomen. The donor kidney's blood vessels are connected to the recipient's blood vessels, and the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) is connected to the recipient's bladder.

Benefits

Restoration of kidney function: A successful kidney transplant can restore kidney function, allowing the recipient to live without dialysis.

Improved quality of life: Transplant recipients often experience improved energy levels, better appetite, and greater freedom in their daily activities compared to being on dialysis.

Long-term survival: Kidney transplantation offers better long-term survival compared to remaining on dialysis.

Nephrectomy

Procedure Steps

Benefits

Treatment of kidney cancer: Nephrectomy is often performed to remove cancerous tumors from the kidney.

Management of kidney diseases: In some cases, nephrectomy may be necessary to manage conditions such as severe kidney infections or trauma.

Prevention of complications: Removing a damaged or diseased kidney can help prevent complications such as infection or bleeding.

Lithotripsy

Procedure Steps

Sedation or anesthesia: The patient may receive sedation or anesthesia to remain comfortable during the procedure.
Shock wave generation: Shock waves are generated outside the body and focused on the kidney stone using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound.
Stone fragmentation: The shock waves break the kidney stone into smaller pieces, which can then pass more easily through the urinary tract.

Benefits

Non-invasive treatment: Lithotripsy is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for treating kidney stones.

Quick recovery: Most patients can resume normal activities shortly after lithotripsy.

High success rates: Lithotripsy is effective in breaking down kidney stones into fragments that can be passed naturally in the urine.

Urology

Urology is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating disorders of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Urologists use various tools and techniques to address conditions like urinary infections, kidney stones, prostate issues, and reproductive cancers. Treatment options range from medications to surgery, aiming to improve patients’ urinary and reproductive health.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

Procedure Steps

Insertion of the cystoscope: A thin tube with a light and camera (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra and advanced into the prostate.
Resection of prostate tissue: Using specialized instruments passed through the cystoscope, the surgeon removes excess prostate tissue that is causing urinary obstruction.
Removal of tissue fragments: The removed tissue fragments are flushed out of the bladder and collected for examination.

Benefits

Improved urinary flow: TURP helps relieve urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, such as difficulty urinating or frequent urination.

Relief of symptoms: Patients typically experience significant improvement in urinary symptoms and quality of life after TURP.

Lower risk of complications: TURP is associated with a lower risk of complications compared to open prostate surgery.

Cystectomy

Procedure Steps

Incision: An incision is made in the abdomen or pelvic area to access the bladder.
Removal of the bladder: The surgeon carefully removes part or all of the bladder, depending on the reason for the surgery.
Reconstruction: In some cases, the surgeon may create a new way for urine to leave the body, such as a urinary diversion or neobladder.

Benefits

Treatment of bladder cancer: Cystectomy is often performed to remove cancerous tumors from the bladder.

Prevention of cancer spread: Removing the bladder can help prevent the spread of bladder cancer to other parts of the body.

Improved quality of life: Although bladder removal involves significant lifestyle changes, many patients experience improved quality of life after surgery.