Urology

St. James Hospital / Services & Specialties / Urology

Urology is a specialty that deals with diseases of the male and female urinary tract as well as the male reproductive organs. Conditions treated include: bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers, erectile dysfunction (ED), kidney stones, urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, blood in the urine, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and pelvic organ prolapse.

Some conditions can be treated with medicine and others may require surgery.

Advanced Surgical Offerings

Kidney Stone Removal

Minimally Invasive Stone Removal (Mini-PERC)

This outpatient procedure is designed to remove kidney stones through a tiny incision (less than 0.3 cm) in your side or back. MIP is less invasive than standard methods and offers several advantages.

Benefits:

Less pain during recovery and less need for strong pain medications
Less likely to need a temporary drainage tube after surgery
Often a same-day procedure, meaning you can go home the same day
Faster recovery time
Higher success rate at clearing stones compared to ureteroscopy, especially for stones larger than 2 cm

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

This is the standard procedure for removing large or stubborn kidney stones. It's most effective for stones 25 mm or larger, or if you have multiple stones.

What to Expect:

The procedure usually requires a hospital stay of 1-2 nights.
A drainage tube or stent may be placed to help with healing after the procedure.
Some patients may need a second surgery to remove all the stone fragments.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

HoLEP Surgery

Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP) is a minimally invasive surgery that treats an enlarged prostate. During the procedure, the surgeon uses a laser to remove the excess tissue blocking urine flow, all without any external cuts.