Entries by drjo

Nephrostomy Tube

What is a nephrostomy? A nephrostomy tube is  a thin plastic tube inserted through the skin of your back into your kidney to drain urine when normal urine flow is blocked. It is used to relieve pressure on the kidney, prevent damage, and allow urine to be collected in a bag outside the body.  Why […]

Prostate Artery Embolization – PAE

What is it? Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure to treat BPH, blocking the blood supply to the prostate. An interventional radiologist guides a catheter through a small incision in the wrist or groin to the prostate arteries, where tiny particles are injected to restrict blood flow, causing the gland to […]

Angiomyolipoma – AML

What is it: Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign tumor, most commonly found in the kidney. Composed of fat, muscle and blood vessels. It is often discovered incidentally and is usually asymptomatic, Can cause pain, anemia, fever, or high blood pressure if it grows large enough. Not dangerous but large or specific types, like the epithelioid […]

Simple Prostatectomy – Open

Why is it done? For those large benign prostates where a TURP would be too time consuming, and too dangerous. Generally, prostates over 200cc Not commonly performed in Australia This procedure is performed when the prostate gland is enlarged to such an extent that medication cannot relieve the urinary symptoms. Step-up therapy could have been […]

Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer – PROFOCAL Laser therapy

Not covered by Medicare / Health Fund yet. Only used in trial settings currently. AUSTRALIAN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURED What is ProFocal ProFocal is a minimally invasive focal laser treatment used for localized prostate cancer. The procedure uses a needle-guided laser system to deliver energy directly to the tumor, with the goal of preserving healthy tissue […]

Orchidectomy – Radical

Why is it done? For testis cancer. For testis lesions highly suspicious of testis cancer. How is it done? This is done under general anesthetic. A single incision is made in the groin. The underlying muscle layers are split for good oncological control. The affected testis and spermatic cord are then surgically removed through this […]

Robotic Assisted Sacrocolpopexy

This is a surgical procedure used to treat pelvic organ prolapse by using surgical mesh to lift the affected organs and secured to the sacrum. Indications: Performed for symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, vault prolapse or uterine prolapse Indicated for high degree of prolapse Symptoms: Pressure feeling in the vagina or bulge visible at the opening […]

Small renal mass ablation

This is a minimally invasive procedure to treat a small renal mass suspicious of a renal cell carcinoma. This can be done as a day procedure with reduced effects of surgery.   Ablation techniques: Microwave ablation: Commonly used here at the Wesley Hospital. Microwave energy is used to heat and destroy the tissue. Radiofrequency ablation: […]