Urology

Essentially, it is a medical-surgical specialty; therefore, urologists are trained to perform a wide variety of treatments directly, using different approaches.

Open surgery

The traditional surgical technique par excellence is still used to treat a large number of cases. However, with the emergence of new methods that offer a much faster and less complicated recovery, there is a growing trend toward phasing out its use.

Minimally invasive surgery

Although not all of these techniques are unique to the field of urology, this specialty makes particularly good use of many of them. For this reason, they are among the most commonly used by urologists today, reducing the risks of bleeding and infection, improving postoperative recovery times, and even preventing large scars. These include:

• Laparoscopic surgery. It allows direct access to the abdominal cavity using precise instruments equipped with a camera, a light source, and forceps. The physician performs the procedure by viewing the image transmitted by the camera on a monitor.
• Endoscopic surgery. It uses similar equipment in terms of the camera and surgical instruments, but in this case, they are inserted into the body through a natural orifice, eliminating the need for incisions in the skin and the associated risks.
• Percutaneous surgery. It allows access to a specific organ through a small incision made in the skin with the aid of a guide. It is a procedure frequently used to remove large kidney stones.
• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Using acoustic shock waves, the kidney is treated from the outside (without any incisions) to break up the stone. The small fragments are then passed naturally.

First, there is a distinction between urology—a specialty that diagnoses, treats, and studies diseases of the urinary tract—and andrology, which deals with conditions specific to the male reproductive system. However, although andrology is currently described as a subspecialty of urology, urologists are essentially qualified to identify all these problems and provide solutions for them.

That is why it is a good idea to examine the different structures that make up these organs in order to better understand urological diseases.

Urinary Tract Diseases

• Urinary tract infections.
• Kidney stones (lithiasis).
• Pyelonephritis.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Urethritis.
• Nocturia.
• Hematuria.
• Pyeloureteral stenosis.

Diseases of the Male Reproductive System

• Erectile dysfunction.
• Premature ejaculation.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Prostatitis.
• Balanitis.
• Peyronie's disease.
• Phimosis.
• Hydrocele.
• Epididymal Cyst.
• Orchitis.
• Varicocele.

In addition, the specialist performs very specific surgical procedures (such as circumcision) and treats a wide variety of urological cancers, most notably prostate cancer, followed by penile, bladder, and testicular cancers, among others.

Your first appointment is a time for us to listen to you. We begin with a detailed interview to learn about your symptoms and medical history; this information is key, as it helps the doctor conduct a targeted physical exam. Depending on your needs, the specialist will order additional tests to provide you with a clear diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that best suits you.

You are not required to bring any previous test results; the most important thing is to attend the evaluation. However, if you have recent lab results or imaging studies, they will be very helpful to your specialist. Depending on your case, the doctor may order blood or urine tests, ultrasounds, or advanced procedures if we need to examine the inside of your urinary system in greater detail.