About Urology

Definition of Urology

Urology is the medical specialty that deals in the medical and surgical diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, which include the ureters, bladder and urethra, and the male reproductive system and genitalia.

The Field:

Urology is one of the 1st specialties to branch out from the mainstream medical profession. In fact, it is even mentioned in the original greek version of the Hippocratic Oath, wherein specific prohibitions are contained for physicans against cutting "persons labouring under the stone" and to leave it to those who are practioners of this work. Urologic diseases has been described as far back as the ancient Egyptians who did routine suprapubic cystostomies on patients with urinary retention for bladder stones or enlarged prostates.

Urology is one of the few fields that also dabble in pediatric and plastic / reconstructive techniques. One peculiarity of Urology is that in most urologic operations, there is usually a diagnosis. In fact, Urologists take great efforts to have the most accurate working diagnosis prior to operating. This is unlike many operations in General Surgery, wherein they do a significant number of exploratory surgery, wherein one operates not only to cure, but also to find out what the problem is. In fact, Urologists are second only to Radiologists and Radiotherapists as being the most "radioactive" doctors since we rely strongly on radiographic and ultrosonographic studies. As a result, Urologists are at least as skilled as Radiologists and Ultrasonologists when performing or reading imaging studies of the genito-urinary tract, and these include CAT Scans and MRI's, as well as Radionucleide scans.

Urology is also one of the more "expensive" medical specialties. "Expensive" in the sense for the doctor! In all specialties, there are certain equipment or instruments that are absolutely essential to maintain a decent practice, like an ECG machine for Cardiologists, ophthalmoscopes and slit lamps for Ophthalmologists, Doppler Ultrasound machines for Obstetricians, etc. The Urologist's usual armamentarium is quite extensive. The minimum set of instruments a Urologist needs is a cystoscope and resectoscope set. This can run up to tens of thousands of US$. And this doesn't include other instruments that although are not essential, are quite convenient to have like a ureteroscope (flexible and / or rigid), a visual urethrotome, an Otis urethrotome, a cystolithotrite, a nephroscope, the list goes on....

Within the past decade, the field of Urology has been on a rapid rise with the development of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, laser & laparoscopic surgery, endourological advances and medical therapy for benign prostatatic enlargement. Indeed, Urology is one of the most exciting fields today.

 

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