The article in brief
Urology offers a wide range of treatments for various urinary and genital disorders. Here is an overview of the main treatment options:
- Drug treatments antibiotics, alpha-blockers, analgesics for various pathologies
- Surgical procedures : prostate resection, lithotripsy, prostatectomy for stones and cancer
- Treatments for functional disorders : rehabilitation, suburethral incontinence slings
- Innovations : robotic surgery, focal therapy for advanced care
As an experienced urologist, I am often faced with a wide variety of urinary and genital problems. Patients frequently ask me: " what treatments are offered by a urologist ? ". This is a crucial question, because it helps us to understand the scope of our speciality and the solutions we can provide. Let me take you through the different treatment options we offer.
Drug treatments in urology
In my day-to-day practice, I find that many urological problems can be effectively treated with medication. These non-invasive treatments are often our first line of defence against various ailments.
Antibiotics for urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections are one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in urology. I regularly prescribe appropriate antibiotics to treat these infections. The choice of antibiotic depends on the bacteria responsible and the severity of the infection.
Treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia
For men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, I often suggest alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. These drugs help to relieve urinary symptoms and reduce the size of the prostate.
Analgesics and anti-inflammatories
In the case of renal colic, which can be extremely painful, I prescribe powerful analgesics and anti-inflammatories to relieve the pain quickly. These treatments are essential to improve patient comfort while waiting for the natural elimination of the stone or an operation if necessary.
Urological surgery
When drug treatments are not enough, or when the pathology requires a more invasive approach, we resort to various surgical techniques. Over the course of my career, I have seen these techniques evolve considerably, offering increasingly effective and less invasive solutions.
Prostate surgery
For benign prostatic hyperplasia that is resistant to drug treatment, we have several surgical options:
- Endoscopic prostate resection (EPR)
- Prostate spraying
- Laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)
- Placement of Urolift implants
Each of these techniques has its advantages, and I choose the most appropriate one depending on the size of the prostate and the patient's general state of health.
Treatment of urinary stones
For urinary calculi, we have three main approaches:
- Extracorporeal lithotripsy: using shock waves to break up stones
- Endoscopic surgery: removal of stones via the natural route
- Percutaneous surgery: for larger or more complex stones
The choice of technique depends on the size, location and composition of the stone. I remember one patient who had a 2 cm kidney stone that we successfully treated with lithotripsy, avoiding a more invasive procedure.
Surgery for urological cancers
Treating urological cancers is an important part of our work. We carry out operations such as :
- Prostatectomy for prostate cancer
- Nephrectomy for kidney cancer
- Cystectomy for bladder cancer
These procedures can be performed by open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery, depending on the case. Robotic surgery, in particular, has revolutionised our practice by offering greater precision and faster recovery for patients.
Treatments for functional disorders
As a urologist, I also treat functional disorders that can greatly affect patients' quality of life. Although these problems are less serious than cancers, they are just as important to treat.
Management of urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a common problem, particularly in women after childbirth or in men after prostate surgery. We offer several solutions:
| Treatment | Description | Main indication |
|---|---|---|
| Perineal rehabilitation | Strengthening pelvic floor muscles | Mild to moderate incontinence |
| Suburethral strips | Minimally invasive surgery to support the urethra | Stress incontinence |
| Injections of filling agents | Injection of substances to strengthen the sphincter | Mild incontinence |
| Artificial sphincter | Installation of a mechanical device | Severe incontinence |
The choice of treatment depends on the type and severity of the incontinence, as well as the patient's preferences. I recently treated a 65-year-old patient suffering from stress incontinence with a suburethral sling, which considerably improved her quality of life.
Treatment of genital prolapse
There are two main surgical approaches to genital prolapse:
- Promontofixation: an abdominal approach
- Surgery via the vaginal route: a less invasive approach
The choice between these two techniques depends on a number of factors, including the patient's age, the severity of the prolapse and previous surgical history.
Management of erectile dysfunction and male fertility
Erectile dysfunction and male fertility problems are sensitive issues that we treat with great care. We offer drug treatments, intra-cavernosal injections and, in some cases, surgical procedures such as penile prostheses. For fertility, we perform operations such as varicocelectomy or sperm sampling for medically assisted reproduction.
Innovations and multidisciplinary approaches in urology
Urology is a constantly evolving speciality. We regularly incorporate new technologies and approaches to improve the care of our patients.
Robotic and laparoscopic surgery is now used for many procedures, offering greater precision and faster recovery. We also offer minimally invasive treatments such as focal therapy for certain prostate cancers, enabling tumour areas to be specifically targeted while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue.
Surveillance and screening for urological cancers, particularly prostate cancer, are an integral part of our practice. We use advanced techniques such as multiparametric MRI and targeted biopsies to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Finally, for complex pathologies, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach, working closely with other medical specialities to offer comprehensive, personalised care for each patient. Why consult a urologist: when and why? is a question that many patients ask, and it's vital to know that we're here to help with a wide range of urological problems.
As a urologist, I'm proud to be able to offer such a wide range of treatments to my patients. Every day brings its own challenges and rewards, and it's a privilege to be able to help people regain a better quality of life thanks to these medical and surgical advances.
Sources :
wiki urology
urology department
