Urological office procedures: why and how

UROLOGICAL OFFICE PROCEDURES

Office procedures are an integral part of any urologic practice. Performing minor operations under local anaesthesia allows for convenient outpatient based performance of diagnostic and minor corrective urological procedures. This approach negates the need for hospital admission, general anaesthesia, delay to treatment while on waiting list and significantly minimises the time and cost associated with the procedure for the patients and the healthcare services. Many urological procedures can be safely performed in the office with minimal pain and without any significant risks to the patient.

General practitioners, dentists, oral surgeons, plastic surgeon routinely carry out many procedures with this approach and many urological procedures can be carried out in this manner.

Typically for any office procedure patient arrives at the practice at the scheduled appointment time. Sometimes we ask for the patient to come with an escort for assisting for the drive home. Starvation prior the procedure is not necessary. Depending on the procedure a dose of oral antibiotics is given before starting. Subsequently the patient is taken to the procedure room. For urological procedures the bottom half of clothing are removed and the area is sterilised with topical antiseptic solution. Local anaesthetic agents are instilled or injected to achieve the desired local anaesthetic effect. Subsequently the procedure is carried out and the patient will walk out of the room at the completion of the procedure. After 10-15 minutes waiting in the waiting area the patient can leave the office.

Cystoscopy, urethral dilation, vasectomy, adult circumcision and transperineal prostate biopsy are the procedures that are commonly carried out in the office by Mr Zargar.