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ROBOTIC SURGERY

Author Archives: Communication

Categories Andrology

What is varicocele? Diagnosis and treatments

One of the most common diseases among men that makes them come to our centre is Varicocele, a condition in which the veins/varicose veins surrounding the testicle dilate and increase in thickness and fibrosity.

Between 10 and 15% of males will suffer from it in their lifetime, it can occur especially between puberty and adulthood and in 90% of cases it occurs in the left testicle.

When is it treated and how is it diagnosed?

It is not necessary to treat it except in case of discomfort and/or pain, if they cause sterility or for aesthetic reasons.

Among the andrological conditions we treat, varicocele is one of those that can be easily observed because the thickening of the veins makes them visible and palpable.

The discomfort presented by patients increases throughout the day, and decreases at times when they are at rest. There may even be cases where it is asymptomatic and not detected until fertility problems or an abnormal shape of the testicle is observed.

We can diagnose it with a physical examination, and a Duplex EchoDoppler makes it clearer; a semen study confirms whether it has caused problems in the fertility of the male.

What treatments do we offer at our centre?

There are different ways of treating it. In our centre, we have specialised in the two methods that achieve the best results:

  • Microsurgery: this is an outpatient operation (in which the patient can be operated on and go home after the operation) which is carried out with a microscope that allows the space to be seen more clearly, allowing us to operate with an incision of only 2 or 3 centimetres, and in just 72 hours the patient can return to normality.
  • Vein occlusion by embolisation: a vascular radiology technique in which the vein is treated remotely, eliminating scarring and decreasing the chances of the patient suffering pain. This incision is made near the testicles, separating individually thickened veins, which will be closed one by one so that blood does not pool, and only requires a return to the centre for dressings and post-operative follow-up.

Consequences of untreated varicocele

As blood accumulates in the veins surrounding the testicle, the average temperature of the testicle changes and, as a result, sperm that are optimal for reproduction are no longer produced, as their shape, movement and function are altered.

Atrophy of the testicle can occur, as damage to the sperm-producing tubules can cause it to shrink and soften.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this procedure. At GUA we will offer you the highest quality care from the best urologists in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria .

Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Categories: Urology, Andrology

Shockwave therapy: new perspectives on erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is defined as the sustained inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient to allow satisfactory sexual intercourse. Therefore, the first diagnosis is made by the patient himself when he becomes alarmed when he cannot achieve sufficient rigidity to penetrate the penis.

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Categories: News, Events

MIR: specialist training in urology

After a hard year of study to prepare for the MIR (medical internal resident) residency exam, I am proud to have achieved enough points to gain access to the largest urology department in Spain and with the longest tradition: Fundació Puigvert.

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Shockwave treatment
Categories: Andrology, Urology

Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction: Frequently asked questions

Shockwave treatment has a beneficial effect on tissue regeneration, which is essential for a healthy erection. A successful treatment for erectile dysfunction.

With technological advances, it is now possible to treat erectile dysfunction with the new shockwave treatment. This is a great innovation as it is the first treatment that acts at the root of the problem, the narrowing of the arteries or arteriosclerosis. In most cases erectile dysfunction is due to a lack of blood to the penis because of this problem.

It is a long-lasting treatment, as the patient will be able to enjoy the effect of the shockwaves once all the sessions have been completed. This is the main difference compared to other treatments, where the effects are only felt while the medication, cream or injection is being applied... Therefore, there is a high probability of success in "curing" erectile dysfunction.

What are shock waves?

Although this is a new treatment, shockwaves have been used in urology for quite some time. Specifically, they are used to treat kidney stones or urinary calculi. This same technology, low-energy, high-frequency shock waves, is being used to treat impotence.

To correct erectile dysfunction, shock waves form new blood vessels in the erectile tissue, enhancing vascular endothelial relaxation.

How are they applied?

The treatment is carried out in several sessions to ensure complete success, specifically twice a week for 3 weeks. The duration of the session is approximately 20 to 30 minutes, taking into account that there are 3000 impacts per session. After one month from the last session, a check-up with the doctor is carried out.

The shock waves are placed first on the upper part of the penis and then under the scrotum to reach the root of the corpora cavernosa. In this way, the entire erectile tissue is covered.

The treatment is completely painless, brief and does not require anaesthesia or sedation. No admission or observation is required after the session.

Who can undergo this technique?

Smoking, cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, stress, diabetes... All these vascular risk factors lead to arteriosclerosis and therefore erectile dysfunction. Patients who suffer from this pathology due to these vascular risk factors will be those who can undergo shockwaves.

Is shockwave therapy successful?

According to several studies, there is a high positive response rate to shockwave treatment, between 75%-80%. Moreover, the response remains positive in the medium term, with patients confirming an improvement in their erections over the next 6 months. Whether this is also the case in the long term is currently being studied.

Do shock waves cause pain or side effects?

Not at all. Patients confirm that they feel tingling during the sessions, but no pain. Moreover, to date, there is no record of any side effects. There have been rare cases of penile haematoma, but this is due to altered coagulation, without prior warning.

Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Categories Urology

The importance of the urological visit

 

An annual visit to the urologist, as with any specialist, is vital for the early detection of any urogenital disease or abnormality. For this reason, an annual check-up with a urologist is of vital importance.

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is vital in order to treat it with a greater chance of success. To this end, an annual urological visit is essential.

Prostate cancer is the leading disease that can affect men throughout their lives, followed by a number of other diseases. Statistics show that prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in men. These figures are consistent throughout the world. It is important not to miss a visit to the urologist once a year in order to treat this disease in time if it should occur.

Thanks to technological advances, it is now possible to detect prostate cancer at an early stage. This is essential to achieve the possibility of a more successful cure for a patient. There is up to a 90% chance of effectively treating the cancer if it is diagnosed early with the treatments that currently exist. According to specialists, it is advisable to start seeing a urologist at the age when the cancer begins to appear.

At what age is it advisable to start seeing a urologist?

  • From the age of 40, if the patient has a family history.
  • From the age of 45, if there is no family history.

What is prostate antigen?

An effective tool for early diagnosis of prostate cancer is the prostate antigen test. It is a simple test, namely a blood test that does not even require fasting. Depending on the result, it will alert the urologist to a possible abnormality and allow further tests to be carried out. If the tests give normal results, an annual check-up is all that is required.

As mentioned, if the data shows high levels of prostate-specific antigen, it could also be due to other disorders. Infections, prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia are usually the most common.

If so, what are the most common pathologies?

Urology is the speciality that diagnoses pathologies of the entire urinary tract. Any condition of the bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys, and prostate, testicles and penis in the case of men.

For this reason, the urologist is the specialist indicated to resolve different pathologies. Of particular note are:

  • Kidney stones.
  • Urinary tract infections.
  • Sexual dysfunction.
  • Urinary incontinence.
  • Cancers of the urinary tract.

Can other pathologies occur when you are still young?

It is important to stress that we should not wait until we are 40 years old to start worrying about urinary pathologies. The most common is testicular pathology, testicular cancer. This cancer has a low incidence rate in the population. However, it should be noted that the age group of patients is between 15 and 35 years old. According to specialists' recommendations, it is vital to see a urologist for any testicular pain or painless enlargement.

Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.

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