Urology

Editor's Choice

Nephrolithiasis is a common disorder, with a reported lifetime incidence of up to 13% in North America. It is now possible to identify the specific metabolic condition and primary defect responsible for kidney stone formation in most patients. The introduction of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and minimally invasive endourologic modalities has reduced the need for open surgery and led to a revolution in the surgical management of kidney stones.

LATEST ARTICLES

Physician's Focus: Kidney Stones

Physician's Focus: Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a complex, heterogeneous syndrome in terms of etiology and symptoms, making its treatment difficult. Thus, a first step to improved management of these conditions is to better classify and stratify patients. Once the classification is established, urologists are able to tailor an approaches based on specific pathogens and the individual patients and clinical situations.

Physician’s Focus: Botox for Urologic Conditions

Although botulinum neurotoxins are currently being evaluated for urologic disorders and are not yet FDA-approved, results from a 2005 study show that Botulinum toxin Type A can significantly decrease signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence. ModernMedicine provides several thought-provoking articles on this topic.

Laparoscopic ports: Bladed or not?

Conflicting data on fascial defect size and port fixity render any perception of surgical advantage per port type as theoretical. Thus, regarding this aspect, the decision to use bladed or non-bladed trocars is likely best left to surgeon preference.

Physician's Focus: Radiation Risk in Urolithiasis

Imaging procedures for diagnosing stone disease have been found to be a major source of ionizing radiation to patient, especially young and middle-aged, and practitioner alike. As a result, the FDA has called for a reduction in radiation exposure. ModernMedicine's articles describe the risks and the potential methods to reduce exposure.