Urological laparoscopy is a technique widely used in Urology. It is used for malignant pathologies (Uro-Oncology) as well as for benign and reconstructive pathologies.
Laparoscopic and robotic surgery consists of creating a space inside the abdominal cavity with CO2. This is introduced by means of cannulas that are placed inside the patient’s abdomen to insufflate the gas that creates the space through which the urology specialist will introduce the instruments necessary for the intervention (scissors, forceps and robotic arms), as well as an optic (2 or 3 dimensions). Thus, with a magnification of the image, the surgical procedure can be performed in the same way as with open surgery but with a smaller abdominal incision.
Pathologies that can be treated with urological laparoscopy
In Uro-Oncology various pathologies can be treated surgically. With this technique improvements are achieved with respect to open surgery, such as a notable decrease in bleeding, a decrease in the rate of transfusion, less aggression of the abdominal wall because the incisions are smaller, less use of analgesics and a faster recovery, with the same oncologic and reparative efficacy.
Laparoscopic surgery is recommended in the following pathologies:
- Renal cancer (with total or partial nephrectomy).
- Urothelial cancer (with nephroureterectomy, radical cystectomy and urinary diversions).
- Prostate cancer (radical prostatectomy).
In benign pathologies it is used in:
- Cases of infravesical obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia in large volume glands (laparoscopic adenomectomy).
- Ureteral reconstructive surgery (pyeloplasty) in lithiasis.
- Urogynecological surgery (laparoscopic colposacropexy).