Urology Health

Improve the quality of your life.

Common Diseases and Treatments

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Before diagnosing any issues in your urology system, a ureteroscopy is performed using either a rigid or flexible endoscope to examine for potential diseases. However, the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) is very narrow, measuring around 5-7mm. Therefore, when a rigid endoscope is used for examination, it can damage healthy tissues due to its inflexibility. Opting for a flexible endoscope instead of a rigid one can reduce patient discomfort to some extent.

When it comes to BPH, it is when the prostate gland enlarges, putting pressure on the urethra. This leads to frequent urges to urinate and the feeling of not fully emptying the bladder after urination.
For severe cases of BPH, doctors may recommend transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

During this procedure, electric current or laser light is used to remove the excess tissue from the prostate, relieving pressure on the urethra. With 3D technology, surgeons may be able to manipulate instruments with greater precision and accuracy to minimize bleeding and ensure complete removal of prostate tissue. Here's a simple illustration to help understand how the procedure works:

For more information, please contact your physicians.

Kidney and Ureteral Stones

Simply put, kidney or ureteral stones are formed when minerals or salts build up in the channels of your kidney or urethra. These stones are more likely to occur in people who are often dehydrated, have a diet high in protein, sodium, or sugar, or are obese.

Symptoms of kidney or ureteral stones can be very unpleasant. Passing a stone through the narrow ureters can cause significant pain, felt as discomfort from the side and back, below the ribs, in the lower abdomen, and groin. Other signs include a burning sensation while urinating and unusual colors in the urine (pink, red, or brown).

Doctors may first suggest patients undergo Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones. However, if the stones are too large or the shock waves aren't effective, doctors may perform ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URSL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) to remove stones from the urinary system, depending on factors like stone size and location. During these minimally invasive surgeries, 3D visualization has the possibility to improve precision and spatial awareness in the narrow ureter, enabling more accurate location of stones and reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues during stone manipulation and fragmentation. Here’s a simple illustration of how RIRS, a flexible endoscopic procedure, works to provide more comfort: