Urology surgery includes operations on the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive systems. Urology surgery is wide-ranging. It includes everything from cancer surgery to kidney stone removal.

Urology is a surgical specialty, so all urologists have surgical training. Urology surgeons can clear blockages and perform biopsies. We can also remove parts of organs that are causing problems.

Urologists treat women and perform surgeries on the female urinary tract. However, we may refer people to urogynecologists for surgeries related to female reproductive organs.

Types of urology surgery

For many urology surgeries, we can use smaller incisions and smaller instruments. This is a minimally invasive surgery. It means that you likely heal more quickly and have less chance of complications.

Types of urology surgery include:

• Cancer surgery: Urologists work closely with cancer experts. Carilion urologists perform surgery for kidney, bladder, prostate, and pelvic cancers.
• Prostate resection: This surgery cuts away small parts of prostate tissue that are blocking the tube that runs from your bladder and lets you pee. This surgery can help with an enlarged prostate.
• Prostate removal: For some conditions, like cancer or an enlarged prostate, we remove the prostate. This is a prostatectomy. At Carilion, we offer robotic surgery for prostate removal, which is more precise and has fewer risks. 
• Traditional biopsies: You may need a biopsy of your kidney, bladder, or prostate to confirm or rule out cancer.
• Ultrasound-MRI fusion prostate biopsy: This is the latest technology for help detecting prostate cancer. It combines a biopsy with advanced imaging for the most accurate results. We offer this tool at Carilion as an outpatient procedure.
• Stone removal: We offer various surgical procedures for kidney or bladder stones that won’t pass on their own. This includes shock wave lithotripsy or using a small scope to remove the stone. If all other options fail, we can do minimally invasive surgery.
• Nerve stimulation: Sacral nerve stimulation is like a pacemaker for the bladder. The doctor implants the device during a small surgery. It can help severe overactive bladder that doesn't respond to medicine and chronic urinary retention.
• Erectile dysfunction surgery: If medicine or other devices haven’t helped improve erectile dysfunction, our surgeons offer penile prosthesis surgery. This penile implant helps you achieve erection.
• Vasectomy: An elective outpatient procedure for permanent birth control. The urologist cuts and seals the vas deferens to prevent sperm from entering the semen.

Each type of urology surgery is different. At Carilion, we offer traditional (open), endourologic (small scopes passed through the urinary tract), and minimally-invasive surgery, including laparoscopic and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery through small keyhole incisions.

We always try to do the least invasive surgery. But, the type of surgery you have will depend on your condition and anatomy.

Before

Before surgery, you’ll meet with your urologist to discuss the surgery and ask any questions. In the days before surgery, you may need to take certain tests, like blood work or imaging. We’ll give you specific instructions about when to stop eating or drinking before surgery.

During

First, the anesthesiologist will give you local (numbing) or general (put you to sleep) anesthesia. 

The surgeon will either make an incision or a series of small cuts. The surgeon may or may not use robotic assistance.

Depending on the procedure, your surgery could last from 30 minutes to a few hours. Some surgeries, like a vasectomy, only take a matter of minutes.

After

After surgery, you’ll go to the recovery room. This is an area of the hospital where nurses monitor you immediately after surgery.

You might feel sore or tired. Your surgery and anesthesiology team will help with pain control.

Many urology surgeries are outpatient procedures. This means you can go home after you’ve recovered from anesthesia. Some patients will need to be monitored in the hospital after surgery to ensure a complete recovery. Your urologist can discuss with you which path will be needed.

Follow your urologists’ instructions about rest and activity restrictions after surgery.