The medical specialty of urology focuses on the health of the urinary tract. You’ll see a urologist when something goes wrong with your ability to urinate, you experience certain infections, or you have trouble with certain reproductive functions. Your urologist will also work to maintain the overall health and wellness of your urinary tract.

Urology surgery is used when non-surgical interventions are not sufficient to maintain the health of your urinary tract. However, modern techniques often enable urology surgery to stay minimally invasive.

The urologists at the Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center are able to offer patients the option to undergo many urology treatments as an outpatient surgery procedure. This means that patients can avoid a hospital stay and, instead, recover at home.

Urology Procedures Performed at Iowa City ASC

When able, the vast majority of patients work with their urologists to schedule treatments at the Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center. The urology procedures performed at the Iowa City ASC cover a wide variety of patient needs. You and your urologist will discuss which procedures might be best for your given condition–and what venue would be ideal for your procedure.

The procedures performed at the Iowa City ASC include the following.

Ureteroscopy

Ureteroscopy is a procedure that uses a small, specially designed telescope–called a ureteroscope–to break up and remove kidney stones. The ureteroscope is moved up the urethra and bladder and into the ureter (a tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder). Once there, the device can capture kidney stones with a tiny basket. If the stones themselves are quite large, a laser is used to break up the blockage. Check out this blog if you think you might be passing kidney stones.

In general, ureteroscopy is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Because the procedure may cause swelling, stents are sometimes left in place to facilitate urination.

Cystoscopy

Sometimes called a “bladder scope,” Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure intended to measure the health of the bladder. Your urologist will insert a telescopic camera up the urethra. This enables your physician to view the entire lower urinary tract and inspect various elements. When Cystoscopy is performed in an ASC setting, sedation, and local anesthetic is often used to maintain the comfort of the patient.

While cystoscopy is most often used to diagnose problems with the bladders, special attachments can sometimes enable your urologist to treat specific problems as well.

Transurethral Resection of a Bladder Tumor (TURBT)

Sometimes known simply as “Bladder Cancer Surgery,” a Transurethral Resection of a Bladder Tumor is an outpatient surgery designed to measure the presence and possible spread of bladder cancer. Urologists will use a tool called a resectoscope to examine the bladder and, in some instances, remove tumor material that may be present.

TURBT procedures are generally performed under either spinal or general anesthesia. While this treatment is technically “incision-less,” some patients may still require to follow-up care. That said, most TURBT patients can return home the same day as their procedure.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

An enlarged prostate can cause a wide variety of uncomfortable symptoms. A Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is an “incision-less” outpatient procedure designed to treat problems caused by an overly large prostate. A specialized tool called a resectoscope is inserted through the urethra. This allows your urologist to visually inspect the prostate and trim away tissue accordingly.

TURP procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and are usually employed when medication has proven ineffective. A TURP procedure could help patients urinate more effectively, better control urination, and generally feel more comfortable.

Stent Placement

The ureter is the tube that connects your kidneys to your bladder, and it’s essential for normal urination. In some cases, keeping the ureter open and unobstructed requires the placement of stents. These small tubes can keep your ureters open (and therefore keep urine flowing healthily from the kidney to the bladder).

Stents can be left in place for days, weeks, or years, depending on the overall purpose they are performing. Stent placement is an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll come in for your appointment and go home the same day.

Urolift

An innovative, incision-less option for treating an enlarged prostate, Urolift has been incredibly popular since its introduction. Rather than cutting or trimming the prostate, a Urolift will use tiny implants to simply move the prostate out of the way, ensuring it no longer applies pressure on the urethra.

This means there’s no cutting of tissue, and as a result, recovery times can be much faster. In most cases, patients can be back at work in a couple of days. The procedure is often completed in under fifteen minutes.

More

Both men and women may require urology surgery in order to keep their urinary tracts healthy and operating well. This list does not include every urology surgery procedure performed at the Iowa City ASC. If you have questions, talk to your urologist about your urinary tract health.

Benefits of Undergoing Surgery at Iowa City ASC

The Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center provides a cost-effective, safety-centered surgical option for patients who want top-quality care but who would rather avoid a hospital environment. The Iowa City ASC surgeons are demonstrated leaders, committed to providing our patients access to the latest techniques and innovations.

Your urologist will be supported by a team of professionals ranging from anesthesiologists to nursing specialists.

The benefits of undergoing your outpatient urology surgery with us include:

• Cost savings–many of which show up in copays and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Patient-centered care tailored to your needs.
• Award-winning, quality care.
• Easy scheduling, so you can find an appointment that works for your schedule.
• Minimized exposure to other patients, so you can avoid the unrelated germs and possible free-floating infections you’re more likely to encounter in a hospital setting.

Only a physician with admitting privileges at the Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center can refer you for procedures at this outpatient surgery facility. If you want to undergo your urology surgery at Iowa City ASC, talk to your urologist about a referral today!