Urology
The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs
located below the ribs, in the upper abdomen. The kidneys remove excess
water and waste from the body, maintain correct balance of salts and
other substances in the blood. The kidneys also produce hormones to
maintain the calcium balance and involved in the formation of red blood
cells. Narrow tubes called ureters acts as
conduits for urine, delivering it to the urinary bladder. The urine is
finally expelled via the urethra.
Kidney Stone
Kidney stones are an ancient health problem. Stones
develop from crystals that separate from urine and build up. If these
remain small, they may travel down from the kidney down the ureters and
into the bladder, passing out in the urine. However, sometimes they
build up and get bigger, causing a kidney stone. Gallstones and
kidney stones are
NOT related. They formed in different parts of the
body. Someone with a gallstone is not necessarily more likely to develop
kidney stones and vice versa.
What Causes Kidney Stone?
A person with a strong family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop kidney stones. Urinary
tract infections, medical conditions such as gout / hyperuricaemia and
certain kidney conditions such as renal tubular acidosis are linked to
stone formation.
What is URS?
Uterus copy or URS is a special very small telescope that passed through the urethra, bladder and up the ureter to either examine
the ureter or to remove a stone in the ureter. The telescope may be
rigid or flexible. If this is done to remove a stone, then a small metal
probe can be passed through a channel in the telescope to break up the
stone.
This is a minimally invasive procedure that makes use of the natural passage in the body; there are no cuts or incisions to the skin. It is a very safe and well tolerated procedure and can be done under either spinal or general anesthesia.
This is a minimally invasive procedure that makes use of the natural passage in the body; there are no cuts or incisions to the skin. It is a very safe and well tolerated procedure and can be done under either spinal or general anesthesia.
Reason of URS?
- To examine the ureter
- To remove a stone stuck in the lower or mid ureter. If the stone is below the pelvic bones, then ESWL is not possible as the bones are in the way and you may need to have the URS.