Dr. Tuğrul Türker

Flexible ureterorenoscopy allows stones in the kidney to be reached with a thin optical device that is advanced through the urinary tract and whose tip can be directed. The bendability of the device allows it to be used in stones in hard-to-reach areas of the kidney.

When the stone is reached, it is broken into small pieces with laser energy. The pieces can be picked up with basket-like tools or left to fall on their own. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and there is no incision in the abdominal area.

The size, hardness and location of the stone are decisive in choosing the method. A temporary stent may be placed after the procedure. Examining the structure of the extracted stone helps to plan individual recommendations to reduce repetition.

When benign prostate enlargement makes urinary flow difficult and drug treatment is insufficient, surgery is considered. Laser methods form a part of these surgeries and are applied through the urinary tract.

In holmium laser enucleation, the prostate tissue causing the obstruction is separated from its capsule, removed as a whole, and removed by breaking it into pieces in the bladder. This approach is considered in cases where the prostate is significantly enlarged.

The decision is not made only based on the volume of the prostate. The patient's bleeding tendency, blood thinners used, bladder function and accompanying diseases are also taken into account. A clean urine culture before surgery is important to reduce the risk of infection.

Prostate biopsy is the procedure that confirms the diagnosis of suspected cancer. Infection is a known risk in methods where the needle passes through the intestinal wall. Therefore, prophylactic antibiotics are given.

A noteworthy issue is that the intestinal flora changes in people who have used antibiotics for a long time before the procedure and resistant microorganisms come to the fore. In this case, conventional preventive treatment may not be sufficient.

Therefore, before the biopsy, antibiotics used in the last months, previous urinary tract infections and hospitalization history are questioned. When necessary, culture is taken and preventive treatment is selected according to the individual. The patient is informed about fever and chills after the procedure.