Urology

Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, done for a tight foreskin (phimosis), recurrent infection, pain during erection, or personal or religious reasons.

Stapler (or ZSR) circumcision uses a single-use circular device that removes the foreskin and seals the edge in one quick step, with no conventional stitches.

Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move into the ureter. Small stones often pass on their own; larger ones need a procedure.

A hydrocele is a painless collection of fluid around the testicle, causing a soft scrotal swelling. It is common and harmless, but a large or uncomfortable one is treated surgically.

ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) breaks kidney stones into tiny fragments using focused shock waves from outside the body, so the pieces can pass in the urine. There are no cuts.

RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) treats kidney stones with a very fine flexible telescope passed up through the natural urinary passage to the kidney, where a laser breaks the stone into dust. There are no cuts.

PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) removes large kidney stones through a small (about 1 cm) track made in the back, directly into the kidney. It is the most effective option for big or complex stones.

URSL (Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy) treats stones stuck in the ureter — the tube between kidney and bladder — with a thin telescope passed up through the natural passage and a laser to break the stone.

An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a very common, non-cancerous condition in older men where the prostate presses on the urine passage, making it hard to empty the bladder.

Frenuloplasty lengthens or releases a tight frenulum — the small band of tissue under the head of the penis — that causes pain or tearing during erection and intercourse.

Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis, causing redness, itching and soreness. It is often due to a yeast or bacterial infection, irritation, or poor drainage under a tight foreskin.

Balanoposthitis is inflammation of both the head of the penis and the foreskin together — a step beyond balanitis. It causes marked redness, swelling and discomfort, and can make the foreskin hard to move.

Paraphimosis is a urological emergency where a retracted foreskin becomes trapped behind the head of the penis and cannot be pulled forward, causing swelling that worsens over time.

A foreskin infection causes redness, swelling, discharge and soreness under and around the foreskin. It is usually caused by yeast or bacteria thriving in moisture trapped by a foreskin that does not retract fully.

Prostatectomy is surgical removal of the prostate gland. Radical prostatectomy removes the whole gland for localised prostate cancer; simple prostatectomy removes the inner part for a very large benign prostate.

A tight foreskin is one that cannot be pulled back over the head of the penis, or only with difficulty and discomfort. In adults it is often due to scarring from past infection or a skin condition.

Phimosis is the medical term for a foreskin that cannot be fully retracted over the head of the penis. It is normal in young boys and usually resolves; in adults it is generally caused by scarring.

Swelling of the penis or foreskin can have several causes — infection (balanitis), an allergic reaction, a trapped retracted foreskin (paraphimosis), injury, or an insect bite. Sudden painful swelling needs prompt assessment.

A corn is a small, thickened area of skin that forms over a pressure point, usually on the toes or sole, and can become painful when it presses on the tissue underneath.

Vasectomy is a simple, permanent method of male contraception. The two tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm are sealed, so semen no longer contains sperm.

Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency where a testicle twists on its cord, cutting off its blood supply. It causes sudden, severe scrotal pain and must be treated within hours to save the testicle.

An epididymal cyst (or spermatocele) is a smooth, fluid-filled swelling at the top of the testicle, in the epididymis. They are common, benign and often need no treatment.

Toenail removal treats a painful ingrown or badly damaged toenail. The edge of the nail (or occasionally the whole nail) is removed under local anaesthesia, and the nail-forming cells are treated to stop that portion regrowing.