Procedures
What to expect from your procedure.
Each guide explains why a procedure is done, how to prepare, what happens, what recovery is like, the possible risks, and when to seek urgent help.
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Nephrostomy (a tube to drain a blocked kidney)
A thin tube through the back into the kidney when it is blocked or infected. Why it is needed, caring for the tube, the risks and when to get urgent help.
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Nephrectomy (removing a kidney)
Why a kidney is removed, open and keyhole surgery, preparing, recovery, living with one kidney and the risks.
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Hydrocele repair (the operation for a fluid swelling around the testicle)
Draining the fluid and trimming the sac so it cannot refill. Preparing, what happens, recovery, the chance of it returning and the risks.
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Varicocele treatment (blocking the faulty vein)
Embolisation or surgery for enlarged veins in the scrotum. When it is advised, recovery, and what treatment can and cannot achieve.
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Circumcision (removing the foreskin)
Why it is done, medical and personal reasons, how to prepare, what happens, recovery and the risks.
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Vasectomy (permanent contraception for men)
How it works, who it is for, what happens, recovery, the semen test that confirms it has worked and the question of reversal.
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TURBT (removing a bladder tumour through the urine tube)
A telescope with a wire loop removes and tests a growth in the bladder. Why it is done, what happens, the catheter, recovery, the results and the risks.
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Urinary catheters (what they are and how to look after one)
The kinds of catheter, how one is put in, caring for it at home, clean intermittent self-catheterisation and when to get help.
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Urethral stricture treatment (dilatation and urethrotomy)
Stretching or cutting open a narrowed urine tube through a telescope. How it is done, recovery, and an honest look at the stricture coming back.
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Botulinum toxin injections for an overactive bladder (calming the bladder muscle)
Injections into the bladder wall when tablets have not helped. How it is done, how long it lasts and the chance of needing a catheter.
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Ureteroscopy with laser (URS) (treating a stone through the urine tube)
A thin telescope passed through the urine tube to break a stone with a laser, with no cuts on the skin. Who it is for, how to prepare, what happens, the stent and recovery.
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Keyhole kidney surgery (PCNL) (removing a kidney stone through the back)
Keyhole surgery for larger kidney stones through a small cut in the back. When it is used, what happens, the tube afterwards, recovery and the risks.
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Shock wave treatment (ESWL) (breaking a stone from outside the body)
Shock waves from a machine outside the body break a kidney or ureter stone with no cut. Who it suits, what to expect and how the pieces pass.
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TURP (prostate surgery through the urine tube)
A telescope with a wire loop trims the inside of an enlarged prostate. Who it suits, what happens, the catheter, recovery and the effects on ejaculation.
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Laser prostate surgery (HoLEP) (laser removal of the inside of the prostate)
Laser surgery through the urine tube for an enlarged prostate of any size. How it differs from TURP, the catheter, recovery and risks.
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Prostate biopsy (taking small samples to look for cancer)
Why a biopsy is advised, the transperineal and transrectal routes, preparing, what happens, side effects and how results are explained.
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Radical prostatectomy (removing the prostate for cancer)
Open, keyhole and robotic surgery to remove the prostate. What happens, the catheter, leakage and erections, recovery and follow-up.
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DJ stent (a small tube to keep the kidney draining)
A temporary tube in the ureter that keeps the kidney draining. Why it is placed, what living with it is like, and why removal on time matters.
More guides will be added over time. If there is a procedure you would like us to cover, let us know on WhatsApp.