Urological surgery

Urological surgery is a branch of medicine that focuses on surgical and medical diseases of the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs. These organs include the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, as well as the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis).

History

The history of urological surgery dates back to ancient times. The Edwin Smith Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text, contains descriptions of urological procedures such as the removal of bladder stones.

Types of Urological Surgery

There are several types of urological surgery, including:

• Endourology: This involves the use of scopes to enter the urinary tract. Common procedures include ureteroscopy and cystoscopy.
• Laparoscopy: This is a rapidly evolving field of urology, with procedures being performed with robotic assistance.
• Urologic oncology: This involves the surgical treatment of malignant genitourinary diseases such as cancer of the prostate, adrenal glands, bladder, kidneys, ureters, testicles, and penis.
• Neurourology: This involves the management of conditions that involve the nervous control of the genitourinary system or abnormal urination.
• Andrology: This focuses on the male reproductive system. It is mainly concerned with male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculatory disorders.

Training and Education

To become a urological surgeon, one must first complete a five-year residency in urology after obtaining a medical degree. This is followed by a fellowship in a subspecialty if desired.

See Also

• Urology
• Surgery
• Urinary system
• Reproductive system

References

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