What is urology and which urology instruments are used in practice?
Urology is the specialist field of medicine that deals with the bases, diagnosis and therapy of diseases of the urinary organs and the genital organs using the appropriate urology instruments. Specifically, urology deals with diseases of the kidneys and the urinary organs, i.e. ureters, bladder and urethra of both sexes. In addition, the male genital organs are treated in urology: Prostate, testes, epididymis, spermatic ducts, seminal vesicles and penis. Urinary stones, tumors, infections and malformations are common diseases which can affect any of the above-mentioned organs. Ackermann offers a comprehensive product range of urology instruments, such as special surgical instruments, optics, shaft systems and other products for use in the upper and lower urinary tract. Comprehensive sets of urological instruments for e.g. resectoscopy, cystoscopy, laser surgery, lithotripsy, nephroscopy, uretero-renoscopy and urethrotomy support the urologist in all applications.
What is a urologist and when should you consult a urologist?
The most common urological pathologies that urologists treat include: Urinary incontinence in men and women, urinary stones (e.g. kidney and bladder stones), renal insufficiency, benign prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia), urethral constrictions, interstitial cystitis (i.e. non-bacterial, chronic cystitis), genital warts (condylomas), impotence (erectile dysfunction), unwanted childlessness (infertility), menopause in men, undescended testicles and nocturia (nocturnal urination). In addition, the following tumor diseases also belong to the urological area: Prostate carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, testicular carcinoma and penile carcinoma. At what age should you go to a urologist? You can consult a urologist at any age, but lately in your mid-forties you should go to a urologist check-up procedure.
Information on urological examination methods and urological examinations in men, procedure for cancer screening examinations.
The variety of pathologies in urology requires different examination and treatment methods that urologists use. One of the most common urological examination procedure for men is the prostate cancer screening test. The aim of this early cancer detection examination is to discover suspicious changes in the organ as early as possible, when there are optimum chances of recovery. For men who want to have an early urological cancer detection examination, a palpation examination by the urologist is recommended, in combination with a PSA test in the blood.
In general, various diagnostic procedures, surgical interventions and therapies are used in urological practice.
Urography
Urography is an X-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters and bladder using a contrast medium. This is administered either via a vein (excretory urography) or via a catheter (retrograde urography). The urologist uses the contrast medium to visualize the urinary drainage system in order to be able to identify possible stones in the kidney or bladder or tumor diseases and malformations.
Cystoscopy
In cystoscopy (bladder endoscopy) the urologist examines the urethra up to the urinary bladder and the prostate with a thin, sterile special camera. The cystoscope allows smaller stones to be removed, tissue samples to be taken and minor bleeding to be stopped. The advantage of this endoscopic examination is a color real-time image on the monitor, which shows the urologist details of the mucous membrane and the functional areas.
Ultrasound examination
The ultrasound examination is a painless, imaging procedure. An ultrasound examination is used, for example, if kidney or bladder stones, tumors or malformations are suspected. These diseases can be made visible by using ultrasound. The examination procedure allows the diagnosis of the entire urinary and genital tract of a patient.
Prostate biopsy
The prostate biopsy is a typical urological examination in men. It is used when the urologist suspects the presence of prostate cancer, which he/she has determined by palpating the prostate, for example. The prostate biopsy is usually performed on an outpatient basis. An endorectal probe is used, which is inserted through the rectum and with which several tissue samples are taken from the prostate. The tissue samples are then examined for prostate cancer by a pathologist. The examination is one of the most common outpatient examination methods in urology.
Urine test
The urine test is used to check the composition of the urine and to detect substances in the urine. For example, blood, sugar, protein, bacteria and other pathogens can be detected in the urine. In this way, diseases such as urinary tract infections like cystitis, urethritis or diabetes can be diagnosed. Depending on the indication, the urologist will check the urine sediment, a urine culture, the 24-hour urine or the urine cytology. If you now ask yourself “what does a urologist do in cases of cystitis?”, feel free to contact us.
Cystometry
In cystometry (measurement of the urinary bladder pressure), the urologist examines the functionality of the urinary bladder; to do so the pressure and capacity of the urinary bladder are measured. The measurement process begins with the bladder completely emptied. The urinary bladder is then filled with saline solution using a catheter. When the urge to urinate is strong, i.e. when the functional bladder capacity is reached, emptying is initiated. The pressure within the urinary bladder and the abdominal pressure (pressure in the abdomen) are monitored and recorded during the entire time.
If you have any further questions, for example about the shock wave therapy used in the urology or any other questions regarding the topic urology, do not hesitate to contact us.
As a manufacturer of medical technology products, we have the appropriate products as well as the necessary know-how: https://www.ackermannsurgical.com/urology-instruments Sources:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Urologie e.V. - Urologenportal.de (Access: 25.01.2021)
Instrument-based diagnostics in urology – amboss.com (Access: 25.01.2021)
Urology – netdoktor.de (Access: 25.01.2021)
Urologist: Medical specialist for Urology – praktischarzt.de (Access: 25.01.2021)
