Minimally invasive surgery for diseases of the urinary tract discussed by Mr. Christopher Eden, the UK's most experienced laparoscopic urologist with an experience of over 1,000 cases.

Why Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a technique of performing a surgical operation using instruments inserted through narrow hollow tubes ('ports') rather than through a larger incision, as in traditional surgery. The result is shorter hospitalisation and convalescence, less bleeding and post-operative pain and fewer wound complications.

Ports placed for laparoscopic
radical prostatectomy

Incision for traditional
radical prostatectomy

Although laparoscopy is a type of keyhole surgery, the view obtained is much better than looking through a keyhole. Modern equipment produces a wide, bright, clear and magnified view of the operation. The gas used to distend the abdomen during laparoscopy also greatly reduces bleeding during surgery.

What is 'urology'?

'Urology' is the study of the causes and treatment of diseases of the urinary system.

Milestones in UK laparoscopic urinary tract surgery

Although the first laparoscopic operation to remove a kidney (nephrectomy) was performed in the USA in 1991 laparoscopy has been slow to gain acceptance in the UK.

The reasons are that it takes a great deal of time and effort to master this method of operating, and the body of evidence necessary to convince UK urologists to learn this technique has only been present for the past few years.

As a result, few centres in the UK are experienced in laparoscopic urological surgery. I undertake a large number of laparoscopic urological procedures each year (270 cases in 2006) and regularly train surgeons from the UK and abroad.

1992	First laparoscopic nephrectomy
1994	First laparoscopic pyeloplasty *
2000	First laparoscopic radical prostatectomy *
2001	First radical cystectomy *
	* performed by Mr Christopher Eden

The male urinary tract