This innovative approach combines the expertise of the surgeon with the precision and flexibility of robotic systems to perform complex urological procedures with enhanced accuracy and control. The robotic surgical system typically consists of a surgeon's console, robotic arms with surgical instruments, and a high-definition 3D camera. The surgeon sits at the console and controls the robotic arms, which mimic their hand movements in real-time. The system translates the surgeon's movements into precise, small-scale movements of the surgical instruments inside the patient's body. Common urological surgeries performed using robotic assistance include: Robotic-assisted prostatectomy: Removal of the prostate gland to treat prostate cancer. Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy: Partial removal of a kidney to treat kidney cancer while preserving healthy kidney tissue. Robotic-assisted pyeloplasty: Repair of a blockage or narrowing in the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder).

Female urology plays a crucial role in helping women improve their quality of life by addressing urinary and pelvic floor issues that can significantly impact daily activities and overall well-being. Some common issues treated in female urology include: · Urinary Incontinence: Involuntary leakage of urine, which can be caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, bladder problems, or urethral issues. · Pelvic Organ Prolapse: The dropping or descending of pelvic organs (such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum) into the vaginal area due to weakened pelvic floor support. · Overactive Bladder: A condition characterized by a sudden, strong urge to urinate, leading to frequent and urgent trips to the bathroom. · Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Infections that affect the bladder, urethra, or kidneys and are more common in women due to their shorter urethra. · Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS): A chronic condition causing pelvic pain, urinary urgency, and frequency. · Voiding Dysfunction: Problems with emptying the bladder completely or difficulties with urination. · Urinary Fistulas: Abnormal connections between the urinary tract and other organs or the skin, resulting in urine leakage. · Urethral Diverticulum: A pouch-like structure in the urethra that can cause discomfort and urinary symptoms.

Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control is the involuntary passage of urine (passing urine without meaning to). There are many causes and types of incontinence, and many treatment options. Treatments range from simple exercises to surgery. Women are affected by urinary incontinence more often than men.

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common solid lesion within the kidney and accounts for approximately 90% of all kidney malignancies. It comprises different RCC subtypes with specific histopathological and genetic characteristics. Surgery is the benchmark for the treatment of localised RCC.

Prostate cancer typically consists of many very small, tumours within the prostate. At this stage, the disease is often curable (rates of 90% or better) with standard treatments such as surgery or radiation. Unfortunately, at this stage the cancer produces few or no symptoms and can be difficult to detect. If untreated and allowed to grow, the cells from these tumours can spread to other parts of the body in a process called metastasis. Once the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, cure rates drop dramatically. In most cases, prostate cancer is a relatively slow-growing cancer, which means that it typically takes a number of years for the disease to become detectable, and even longer to spread beyond the prostate. However, a small percentage of patients experience more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Treatments options for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation, hormone treatment and chemotherapy. Which treatment is chosen depends on factors such as the stage of the cancer and the patient’s age, other health issues and willingness to undergo certain procedures or therapies – some of which may have side effects.

What causes bladder cancer is not always clear, but the risk of developing bladder cancer can be increased by smoking, getting older, long term bladder problems and unsafe exposure to aniline dyes which are used in some industries. Bladder tumours usually form in cells lining the bladder. Once a tumour begins to enlarge, it may stay in the lining or grow into the wall of the bladder. If untreated, the tumour may then grow into other structures such as lymph nodes. If the cancer enters the bloodstream it may spread to other areas of the body (metastasis). Often the first symptom noticed is blood in the urine, other symptoms such as needing to pass urine more often or feeling as if you need to go but can’t affect about 1/3 of people with early bladder cancer. As the tumour grows these symptoms affect more people. The first test to diagnose bladder cancer is usually a urine sample. Sometimes a tube will be inserted through the urethra and the bladder will be washed with liquid to try to wash out some cancer cells for diagnosis. If cancer is suspected, the next step is usually a cytoscopy (a tube to allow the doctor to look inside the bladder). If there is to be a tumour the doctor can take a small sample (biopsy) for testing. CT or MRI scans are also used to scan the body to see if the cancer has spread to other areas. Treatment depends on the size of the tumour and how much it has grown into the bladder wall. Surgery may be considered especially if the tumour is still small. The surgeon can insert a cytoscope through the urethra and cut out the tumour or burn it away. If the tumour has grown more deeply the surgeon may cut open the abdomen and remove some or the entire bladder (a partial or full cystectomy). If the whole bladder is removed an artificial bladder will be created on the inside or a urostomy bag on the outside. Radiotherapy (an x-ray beam) can be used as the main treatment in some people and in others may be used after surgery to remove any remaining cancer cells. In early cancer, drugs (chemotherapy) or another treatment called BCG may be placed directly into the bladder to kill cancer cells (intravesical treatment). Usually though, chemotherapy is used in the later stages where it can attack cancer cells throughout the body (not just the bladder) and help stop the cancer spreading.

This term means blood in the urine and may be the result of inflammation or other problems with your kidneys, blockages in your ureter, infection or other problems with your bladder or problems with your prostate.

Urodynamic tests measure the storage of urine in the bladder and the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. Your doctor may want to do an urodynamic test if you are having symptoms that suggest problems with the muscles or nerves of your lower urinary system and pelvis.

Urinalysis is a test that examines the content of urine for abnormal substances such as protein or signs of infection. This test involves urinating into a special container and leaving the sample to be studied.

A UTI is caused by an infection in the urinary tract. Women get UTIs more often than men. UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Drinking lots of water also helps by flushing out the bacteria. If the infection is in the bladder it is called cystitis. If the infection is in the kidneys it is called pyelonephritis.

Urinary retention, or abnormal holding of urine in the bladder, is a common urological problem. Possible causes of acute urinary retention (sudden inability to urinate) include a blockage in the urinary system, stress or nerve problems. Chronic urinary retention (some urine is always left in the bladder after emptying) may be caused by bladder muscle failure, nerve damage, or obstructions in the urinary tract. Treatment for urinary retention depends on the cause.

This term refers to stones in the urinary system. They form in the kidneys but can be found anywhere in the urinary system. They vary in size and the amount of pain they cause. Many of these stones can pass though without help but some require medical intervention. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most frequently used procedure for the treatment of kidney stones. In ESWL, shock waves that are created outside the body travel through the skin and body tissues until they hit the denser stones. The stones break down into very small particles and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.

This is when a patient’s kidneys are unable to remove wastes and excess fluid from the blood. Kidney failure is divided into two general categories, acute and chronic. Acute kidney failure occurs suddenly and may be the result of injury, loss of large amounts of blood, drugs or poisons. Kidneys may return to normal function if they are not too badly damaged. Chronic renal failure means kidney function has slowly worsened over a number of years and often the kidneys do not get better. When chronic renal failure has progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD), it is considered irreversible or unable to be cured. Renal replacement therapy Renal replacement therapy is a treatment that removes wastes and excess fluid from the blood when patients’ kidneys are not able to do it on their own. It comes in a number of forms, both continuous and intermittent, involving filtration and dialysis. In acute renal failure, the dialysis may only be needed for a few days or weeks while the kidneys recover. In some cases long-term dialysis and or a kidney transplant may be needed.

This is an enlargement of the prostate gland. In BPH there may be difficulties in passing urine as the enlarged prostate can cause a blockage. Patients with BPH often notice an increased urge to empty the bladder, especially at night. Many men over 60 years of age have some BPH. There are many different treatment options available for people with BPH. Most commonly your doctor can prescribe tablets to improve urinary function.

A long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached (resectoscope) is inserted into the urinary opening of the penis and through the urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body) to your bladder. The urologist is then able to view the prostate gland and, by passing an instrument through the resectoscope, is able to remove the part of the gland that has become enlarged.

This is the term used to describe inflammation of the prostate gland. Symptoms can include increased need to pass urine and pain on passing urine as well as perhaps lower back pain. Sometimes this inflammation is due to an infection and an antibiotic will be prescribed, otherwise pain relief medication may be prescribed.

A vasectomy is a minor surgical procedure carried out to make a man sterile (he is no longer able to father a child). It is a commonly used form of contraception. A tiny incision (cut) is made in the scrotum and a short length of the vas deferens (the tube carrying sperm away from the testicles where it is produced) is removed and the cut ends sealed.