What Endourology Treats
Endourology covers a range of conditions, including urethral strictures, bladder stones, and other structural or obstructive conditions within the urinary tract that can be reached and treated using a scope.
A Different Way to Treat the Urinary Tract
Endourology procedures use a thin scope, passed through the urethra, to reach the area being treated directly. Depending on the condition, this may involve widening a narrowed segment of the urinary tract, removing a stone, or taking a tissue sample, all without any incision on the body's surface.
What Recovery Looks Like
Most endourology procedures involve a short hospital stay, often as a same-day or overnight procedure, with a shorter recovery period than an equivalent open surgery. Mild discomfort during urination is common for a short time afterward, and specific recovery instructions are provided based on the procedure performed.
Finding the Right Procedure for Your Condition
The right endourology procedure depends on exactly what is being treated. A consultation, including a review of any prior imaging or urine tests, is the most direct way to determine the appropriate approach.
FAQs
Endourology treats conditions such as urethral strictures, bladder stones, and other structural conditions within the urinary tract. Kidney stones are treated using related scope-based techniques, covered on our dedicated Kidney Stones page.
Because the procedure is performed through the body's natural openings, there is no external incision, which is generally associated with less discomfort and a faster return to daily activities compared to open surgery.
Most endourology procedures are performed under general or spinal anesthesia, depending on the specific procedure and the patient's overall health.
Recovery time varies by procedure, but many patients return to normal activity within a few days, following any specific guidance provided after the procedure.
A referring urologist typically identifies whether a condition is suited to a scope-based approach after imaging or a prior evaluation, though a first consultation can also determine this directly.