Procedure

 Colonoscopy is an examination of the entire large intestine using a flexible, lighted colonoscope. The colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube. A small video camera is attached to the colonoscope so that your doctor can take pictures or video of the large intestine (colon). The colonoscope can be used to look at the whole colon and the lower part of the small intestine. A colonoscopy is the preferred method for colorectal cancer prevention. It is generally performed as an outpatient, and gastroenterologists are the experts at performing this procedure. During the procedure, the patient is sedated, and most people remember nothing. An important part of the procedure is bowel preparation – getting “cleaned out”– the day before. Growths on the inside lining of the colon are called polyps. Some polyps have the potential to grow and turn into colorectal cancer. Removing polyps prevents cancer. Colonoscopy screening is done even when you have no symptoms. Everyone, beginning at age 50, should be screened for colorectal cancer. Some people may need to be screened earlier if they have a relative who has had colorectal cancer or even colon polyps. Certain other diseases may increase your risk as well. The size, type and number of polyps will determine when it is time to have another colonoscopy. If there are no polyps or other risk factors, colonoscopy can be repeated every 10 years. If you have any symptoms such as change in bowel pattern, unexplained blood in stool, abdominal pain, or weight loss at any age, talk to your doctor.

 Colon polyps and even early colorectal cancer may cause no symptoms at all. It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have colorectal cancer if they suggest a screening colonoscopy.
The majority of colorectal cancers come from polyps, and most produce no symptoms. Getting rid of polyps means lowering the risk of colorectal cancer.
Almost 75% of people with colorectal cancer have no family history.
Colorectal cancer is an equal opportunity disease that affects everyone – women and men alike.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus. By age 50, about half of the population will have experienced this sometimes painful condition, which results from an increase in pressure inside the veins of the rectum. Common causes include constipation, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, heavy lifting, sitting for long periods and diarrhea.

There are two types of hemorrhoids based on location. Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the lower rectum and often can’t be seen or felt. As this form is typically painless, the only symptoms you may notice are small amounts of bright red blood (on your toilet paper or inside the toilet bowl) or a feeling of fullness following a bowel movement.

Occasionally, internal hemorrhoids can push through the anal opening. This is known as a prolapsed, or protruding, hemorrhoid. Sometimes these swollen veins remain prolapsed temporarily; in other cases, they become permanent. If the hemorrhoid remains outside the anus, it can cause pain, itching, bleeding and the formation of excess skin (skin tags).

External hemorrhoids occur as bulges or lumps around the anus. Because of the sensitive nerve fibers in this area, these enlarged veins are often painful, especially when sitting. They also may bleed and itch. Should blood pool in an external hemorrhoid, a blood clot referred to as a thrombosed hemorrhoid may develop and cause severe pain.

The less common of the two forms, external hemorrhoids are often incorrectly self-diagnosed because many people mistake internal hemorrhoids – or the skin tags they can produce – for external hemorrhoids. Always consult a physician to determine whether you have the internal or external type.

Home remedies such as creams, suppositories and warm baths may offer temporary relief from the symptoms of hemorrhoids. But for many people, hemorrhoids don’t go away. Instead, they can get progressively worse over time, growing in both size and number. Some chronic sufferers develop hemorrhoids in as many as three locations.

We use the patented, CRH O’Regan System™, considered the “gold standard” treatment. This highly effective (99.1%), minimally invasive procedure is performed in minutes. If there are multiple hemorrhoids, we treat them one at a time in separate visits.

During the brief and painless procedure, our physician specialist places a small rubber band around the tissue just above the hemorrhoid where there are few pain-sensitive nerve endings. Unlike traditional banding techniques that use a metal-toothed clamp to grasp the tissue, we use a gentle suction device, reducing the risk of pain and bleeding.

Our banding procedure works by cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. This causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off, typically within a day or so. You probably won’t even notice when this happens or be able to spot the rubber band in the toilet. Once the hemorrhoid is gone, the wound usually heals in a week or two.

During the first 24 hours, some patients may experience a feeling of fullness or a dull ache in the rectum. This can typically be relieved with an over-the-counter pain medication. A remarkable 99.8% of patients treated with our method have no post-procedure pain, however.

In fact, thanks to design improvements, our procedure has a ten-fold reduction in complications compared to traditional banding.

For one, our instruments are smaller, affording greater comfort for patients and better visibility for physicians. Unlike other devices, they are also single use and 100% disposable.

Following hemorrhoid banding, we recommend that you rest at home for the remainder of the day and resume full activity the next day. You can have normal bowel movements during this time, but you may want to soak in a sitz bath (a warm tub with a tablespoon of table salt added) or use to a bidet for a gentler cleansing of the anal opening.

Soon you’ll be feeling much better, but you’ll need to make some changes to prevent future problems. Straining due to constipation should be diligently avoided, so be sure to drink seven or eight glasses of water (around 50 ounces) a day and add two tablespoons of natural oat or wheat bran to your diet. (Metamucil, Benefibre, flax or other soluble fiber may be helpful as well.)

We also recommend that you not sit longer than two minutes on the toilet. If you can’t have a bowel movement in that time, come back later. This two-minute rule can help keep you from straining during bowel movements without realizing it. Finally, when traveling by air, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, eat fiber and walk around when you can.

An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the interior lining of your esophagus , your stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum ) through a thin, flexible viewing instrument called an endoscope. The tip of the endoscope is inserted through your mouth and then gently moved down your throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (upper gastrointestinal tract).

Since the entire upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract can be examined during this test, the procedure is sometimes called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD).

Using the endoscope, your doctor can look for ulcers, inflammation, tumors, infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), solids/liquids becoming lodged in the esophagus or bleeding. Tissue samples can be collected (biopsy), polyps can be removed, and bleeding can be treated through the endoscope. Endoscopy can reveal problems that do not show up on X-ray tests, and it can sometimes eliminate the need for exploratory surgery.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND QUESTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

 Breast Enlargement also known as augmentation mammaplasty, is performed when one is looking to improve their breast shape and symmetry, improve balance and total body proportions, or improve breast contour and size.
 Breast Reduction also known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction surgery removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with overly large breasts.

 Facelift or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the face and neck, such as:

  •  Sagging in the middle of your face
  • Deep creases below the lower eyelids
  • Deep creases along the nose extending to the corner of the mouth
  • Fat that has fallen or has disappeared
  • Loss of skin tone in the lower face that creates jowls
  •  Loose skin and excess fatty deposits under the chin and jaw can give even a person of normal weight the appearance of a double chin
 Rhinoplasty or nose job is a cosmetic surgery that improves or enhances the appearance of your nose. It can also be performed to correct impaired breathing.
 Tummy tuck surgery also known as abdominoplasty removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND QUESTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

 Blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-roe-plas-tee)  is performed when there is excess skin hanging from the upper eyelids. Often times, this can impair your vision or make you appear tired or sad. Blepharoplasty may involve removing excess skin, muscle and fat.

As you age, your eyelid skin stretches. As a result, excess skin can reduce your side vision (peripheral vision), especially the upper and outer parts of your field of vision. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate these vision problems and make your eyes appear younger and more alert.

 Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye and, in most cases, replace it with an artificial lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is used to treat the clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye (cataract). Cataract surgery is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, which means you don’t have to stay in the hospital after the surgery. Cataract surgery is very common and is generally a safe procedure. People with astigmatism or other vision problems that are corrected with glassses may be able to opt for an IOL that corrects these problems. You can discuss this with your cataract surgeon.

 Corneal Transplant

Corneal transplantation is performed by a corneal specialist for hereditary conditions (Fuchs’ dystrophy), scarring, or thinning corneal disorders (keratoconus).  Newer transplantation procedures offer quicker visual rehabilitation.  If the corneal problem involves the inside layer of the cornea, a stitchless corneal transplant (DSEK) can be performed.  When there is anterior scarring, a partial-thickness corneal transplant (DALK) is necessary.  More extensive corneal problems do well with traditional full-thickness transplants.

 Laser Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery can now be performed with a laser, which has the benefit of precision and reproducibility.  The Waterfront Surgery Center is at the forefront of bringing modern technology to the art of cataract surgery and astigmatism correction.

 Macular Degeneration – Implantable Miniature Telescope

The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) is an FDA-approved medical device that is implanted inside the eye to improve vision for those patients affected by end-stage age-related macular degeneration who have not yet had cataract surgery.  Dr. Christopoulos is the first ophthalmologist to implant the IMT in Pennsylvania. 

 Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, or SLT, is a form of laser surgery that is used to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma. It is used instead of eye drops or when eye drop medications are not lowering the eye pressure enough or the drops are causing significant side effects.  It is a safe and frequently performed procedure.

 A Yag capsulotomy is a special laser treatment.  Cataract surgery generally leaves behind a thin membrane which allows the eye to heal quicker.  However, it can cloud up over time.  Then a Yag capsulotomy is required to improve your vision. It is a simple, commonly performed procedure, which is very safe.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND QUESTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

 A bunion is a bony, abnormal bump that arises on the joint at the base of your big toe. When your big toe pushes up against your other toes, a bunion is formed because your big toe joint is forced in the opposite direction.

With a bunion, the base of your big toe (metatarsophalangeal joint) gets larger and sticks out. The skin over it may be red and tender, and wearing any type of shoe may be painful. This joint flexes with every step you take, so the bigger your bunion gets, the more it hurts to walk. Bursitis (painful swelling) may set in. Your big toe may angle toward your second toe or move all the way under it.
In addition, the skin on the bottom of your foot may become thicker and painful. Pressure from your big toe may force your second toe out of alignment, sometimes overlapping your third toe. An advanced bunion may make your foot look deformed. If your bunion gets too severe, it may be difficult to walk. Your pain may become chronic and you may develop arthritis.

If your bunion has progressed to the point where you have difficulty walking or experience pain despite accommodative shoes, you may need surgery. Bunion surgery realigns bone, ligaments, tendons and nerves so your big toe can be brought back to its correct position. Podiatrists have several techniques to ease your pain. Many bunion surgeries are done on a same-day basis (no hospital stay). Recovery usually occurs over a three- to six-month period and may include persistent swelling and stiffness.

 A hammertoe occurs from a muscle and ligament imbalance around the toe joint which causes the middle joint of the toe to bend and become stuck in this position. The most common complaint with hammertoes is rubbing and irritation on the top of the bent toe. Toes that may curl rather than buckle — most commonly the baby toe — are also considered hammertoes. It can happen to any toe. Women are more likely to get pain associated with hammertoes than men because of shoe gear.

Hammertoes can be a serious problem in people with diabetes or poor circulation. People with these conditions should see a doctor at the first sign of foot trouble.

There are two types of hammertoes:

  • Flexible hammertoes. If the toe still can be moved at the joint, it’s a flexible hammertoe. That’s good, because this is an earlier, milder form of the problem. There may be several treatment options.
  •  Rigid hammertoes. If the tendons in the toe become rigid, they press the joint out of alignment. At this stage, the toe can’t be moved. It usually means that surgery is needed.

The muscles of each toe work in pairs. When the toe muscles get out of balance, a hammertoe can form. Muscle imbalance puts a lot of pressure on the toe’s tendons and joints. This pressure forces the toe into a hammerhead shape.

How do the toe muscles get out of balance? There are three main reasons:

  • Genes: You may have inherited a tendency to develop hammertoes because your feet are somewhat unstable — they may be flat or have a high arch.
  • Arthritis
  • Injury to the toe: Ill-fitting shoes are the main culprits. If shoes are too tight, too short, or too pointy, they push the toes out of balance. Pointy, high-heeled shoes put particularly severe pressure on the toes.

There are several treatment options. These are based on how severe the problem has become. The sooner a person seeks treatment, the more options that person may have.

  • Wear properly fitting shoes; this does not necessarily mean expensive shoes.
  • Padding any prominent areas around the bony point of the toe may help to relieve pain.
  • Medication that reduces inflammation can ease the pain and swelling.
  • Sometimes a doctor will use cortisone injections to relieve acute pain.
  • A podiatrist may also custom-make an insert to wear inside your shoe. This can reduce pain and keep the hammer toe from getting worse.
  • Your doctor may recommend foot exercises to help restore muscle balance. Splinting the toe may help in the very early stages.
  • There are several surgical techniques used to treat hammertoes.
  • When the problem is less severe, the doctor will remove a small piece of bone at the involved joint and realign the toe joint. More severe hammer toes may need more complicated surgery.

 Plantar fasciitis (say “PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus”) is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.

Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:

  • Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (excessive pronation ).
  • You have high arches or flat feet.
  • You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces.
  • You are overweight.
  • You wear shoes that don’t fit well or are worn out.
  • You have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles.

Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps. But your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.

Treatment options can vary based on the patient. Talk with your podiatrist for more information.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND QUESTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

 Elbow surgery is performed when chronic elbow pain is experienced. This pain may be caused by tennis elbow, a broken or fractured elbow, injuries, stiffness, loose pieces and arthritis. Your doctor may recommend elbow arthroscopy if you have a painful condition that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment.

Injury, overuse, and age-related wear and tear are responsible for most elbow problems. Elbow arthroscopy may diminish pain and stiffness from many problems that damage the cartilage surfaces and other soft tissues surrounding the joint. Elbow arthroscopy may also be recommended for tennis elbow, to remove loose pieces of bone and cartilage, or release scar tissue that is blocking motion.

Common arthroscopic procedures include:

  • Treatment of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
  • Removal of loose bodies (loose cartilage and bone fragments)
  • Release of scar tissue to improve range of motion
  • Treatment of osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis)
  • Treatment of elbow stiffness
  • Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory arthritis)
  • Treatment of osteochondritis dissecans (activity related damage to the capitellum portion of the humerus seen in throwers or gymnasts)

Knee arthroscopy is done through small incisions. A sterile solution will be used to fill the knee joint and rinse away any cloudy fluid. This helps your orthopedic surgeon see your knee clearly and in great detail. During the procedure, your orthopedic surgeon inserts the arthroscope (a small camera instrument about the size of a pencil) into your knee joint. The arthroscope sends the image to a monitor. On the monitor, your surgeon can see the structures of the knee in great detail. The surgeon’s first task is to properly diagnose your problem. He or she will insert the arthroscope and use the image projected on the screen to guide it. Your surgeon can use arthroscopy to feel, repair or remove damaged tissue. To do this, small surgical instruments are inserted through other small incisions around your knee. These instruments might be used during surgery to cut, shave, remove particles in the joint, or repair tissue.

This part of the procedure usually lasts 30 minutes to over an hour. How long it takes depends upon the findings and the treatment necessary.

Arthroscopy for the knee is most commonly used for:

  •  Removal or repair of torn meniscal cartilage
  • Reconstruction of a torn anterior cruciate ligament
  • Trimming of torn pieces of articular cartilage
  • Removal of loose fragments of bone or cartilage
  • Removal of inflamed synovial tissue

Your surgeon may close your incisions with a stitches or steri-strips (small bandaids) and cover them with a soft bandage.

 Rotator cuff repair is a type of surgery to repair a torn tendon in the shoulder. The procedure can be done with a large (open) incision or with shoulder arthroscopy, which uses small buttonhole-sized incisions. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that form a cuff over the shoulder joint. These muscles and tendons hold the arm in its joint and help the shoulder joint to move. The tendons can be torn from overuse or injury. You may receive a regional pain block or you may receive general anesthesia with this surgery. So that you are unable to feel pain with the regional pain block your arm and shoulder area will be numbed to diminish pain. If you receive regional anesthesia, you will also be given general anesthesia or medicine to make you very sleepy during the operation.

Three common techniques are used to repair a rotator cuff tear:

  • During open repair, surgical incision is made and a large muscle is moved out the way to do the surgery. Open repair is done for large or more complex tears.
  • During arthroscopy, the arthroscope is inserted through small incision. The scope is connected to a video monitor. This allows the surgeon to view the inside of the shoulder. One to three additional small incisions are made to allow other instruments to be inserted.
  • During mini-open repair, any damaged tissue or bone spurs are removed or repaired using an arthroscope. Then during the open part of the surgery, a 2- to 3-inch incision is made to repair the rotator cuff.
  • To repair the rotator cuff, the tendons are re-attached to the bone.
  • Small suture anchors are often used to help attach the tendon to the bone. The suture anchors can be made of metal, plastic or material that dissolves over time, and do not need to be removed.
  • Sutures are attached to the anchors, which are used to sew the tendon back to the bone.

At the end of the surgery, the incisions are closed, and a dressing is applied. If arthroscopy was performed, most surgeons take pictures of the procedure from the video monitor to show you what they found and the repairs that were made.

  Shoulder arthroscopy is surgery that uses a tiny camera called an arthroscope to examine or repair the tissues inside or around your shoulder joint. The arthroscope is inserted through a small cut (incision) in your skin. You may receive a regional pain block or you may receive general anesthesia with this surgery so that you are unable to feel pain. With the regional pain block your arm and shoulder area will be numbed to diminish pain. If you receive regional anesthesia, you will also be given general anesthesia or medicine to make you very sleepy during the operation.

During the procedure, the surgeon:

  • Inserts the arthroscope into your shoulder through a small incision. The scope is connected to a video monitor in the operating room.
  • Inspects all the tissues of your shoulder joint and the area above the joint. These tissues include the cartilage, bones, tendons, labrum and ligaments.
  • Repairs any damaged tissues. To do this, your surgeon makes 1 to 3 more small incisions and inserts other instruments through them. A tear in a tendon, labrum, ligaments or cartilage may be fixed. Any damaged tissue may be removed.

At the end of the surgery, the incisions will be closed with stitches and covered with a dressing (bandage). Most surgeons take pictures from the video monitor during the procedure to show you what they found and the repairs that were made.

In some instances, your surgeon may need to do open surgery. Open surgery means you will have a large incision.

Arthroscopy may be recommended for these shoulder problems:

  • A torn or damaged cartilage ring (labrum) or ligaments
  • Shoulder instability, in which the shoulder joint is loose and slides around too much or becomes dislocated (slips out of the ball and socket joint)
  • A torn or damaged biceps tendon
  • A torn rotator cuff
  • A bone spur or inflammation around the rotator cuff
  • Inflammation or damaged lining of the joint, often caused by an illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis
  • Arthritis of the end of the clavicle (collarbone)
  • Loose tissue that needs to be removed
  • Shoulder impingement syndrome, to make more room for the shoulder to move around

 Tennis elbow is a type of tendinitis — swelling of the tendons — that causes pain in the elbow and arm. These tendons are bands of tough tissue that connect the muscles of your lower arm to the bone. Despite its name, you can still get tennis elbow even if you’ve never been near a tennis court. Instead, any repetitive gripping activities, especially if they use the thumb and first two fingers, may contribute to tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is the most common reason that people see their doctors for elbow pain. It can pop up in people of any age, but it’s most common at about age 40. Tennis elbow usually develops over time. Repetitive motions — like gripping a racket during a swing — can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons. That constant tugging can eventually cause microscopic tears in the tissue.

Tennis elbow might result from:

  • Tennis
  • Racquetball
  • Squash
  • Fencing
  • Weight lifting
  • Jobs where there is lots of lifting, pushing and pulling

It can also affect people with jobs or hobbies that require repetitive arm movements or gripping such as:

  • Carpentry
  • Typing
  • Painting
  • Raking
  • Knitting

The symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the outside of your elbow. This knob is where the injured tendons connect to the bone. The pain may also radiate into the upper or lower arm. Although the damage is in the elbow, you’re likely to hurt when doing things with your hands.

Tennis elbow may cause the most pain when you:

  • Lift something
  • Make a fist or grip an object, such as a tennis racket
  • Open a door or shake hands
  • Raise your hand or straighten your wrist

Tennis elbow is similar to another condition called golfer’s elbow, which affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow.

To diagnose your tennis elbow, your doctor will do a thorough exam. He or she will want you to flex your arm, wrist, and elbow to see where it hurts. Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may aid in diagnosing tennis elbow or rule out other problems. Surgery is done when other treatments, such as physical therapy and NSAIDs, have not improved your condition.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND QUESTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

 Cystoscopy is a procedure used to see inside your urinary bladder and urethra — the tube that carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body. During a cystoscopy procedure, your doctor uses a hollow tube (cystoscope) equipped with a lens to carefully examine the lining of your bladder and your urethra. The cystoscope is inserted into your urethra and slowly advanced into your bladder. Cystoscopy allows your doctor to view your lower urinary tract to look for abnormalities, such as a bladder stone. Surgical tools can be passed through the cystoscope to treat certain urinary tract conditions.

 Lithotripsy

Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the kidney, bladder, or ureter (tube that carries urine from your kidneys to your bladder). After the procedure, the tiny pieces of stones pass out of your body in your urine. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most common type of lithotripsy. “Extracorporeal” means outside the body. The lithotripsy procedure should take about 45 minutes to 1 hour

 No-Scalpel Vasectomy

Vasectomy is a simple, safe surgical procedure for permanent male fertility control. The tube (called a “vas”) which leads from the testicle is cut and sealed in order to stop sperm from leaving.
The procedure usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
Since the procedure simply interrupts the delivery of sperm it does not change hormonal function – leaving sexual drive and potency unaffected.
The No-Scalpel vasectomy is a technique used to do the vasectomy through one single puncture. The puncture is made in the scrotum and requires no suturing or stitches.
The primary difference compared to the conventional vasectomy is that the vas deferens is controlled and grasped by the surgeon in a less traumatic manner. This results in less pain and fewer postoperative complications.
This procedure is done with the aid of a local anesthetic called ‘Xylocaine’ (similar to ‘Novocaine’).
The actual interruption of the vas which is done with the No-Scalpel technique is identical to the interruption used with conventional techniques.
The No-Scalpel technique is simply a more elegant and less traumatic way for the surgeon to control the vas and proceed with its interruption.

 A prostate gland biopsy is a test to remove small samples of prostate tissue to be examined under a microscope. For a prostate biopsy, a thin needle is inserted through the rectum (transrectal biopsy), through the urethra, or through the area between the anus and scrotum (perineum). A transrectal biopsy is the most common method used. The tissue samples taken during the biopsy are examined for cancer cells.A biopsy may be done when a blood test shows a high level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or after a digital rectal examination finds an abnormal prostate or a lump.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS GENERAL IN NATURE, IT IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. PLEASE BE SURE TO DISCUSS YOUR MEDICAL HISTORY AND QUESTIONS WITH A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.