Urology

Endourology-Clinical Update

Endourology is a minimally invasive technique available to treat kidney stones. Stones may be extracted or fragmented using tiny instruments through natural body channels such as the urethra, bladder and ureter. Endourological procedures include: Urethroscopy: used to treat strictures or blockages of the urethra. Ureteroscopes are precision instruments used for surgical procedures within these structures. Cystoscopy: used to treat bladder stones and tumors. Obstructing prostate tissue can be removed with this approach as well Ureteroscopy: used to treat stones and tumors of the ureter. Nephroscopy: used to treat stones and tumors of the kidney lining.The Section of Endourology was formed in 2002. It developed from the British Society for Endourology, which was a separate organisation independent of BAUS; thereafter, it was felt more appropriate for endourology to be formally represented as a sub-section of BAUS. The Section aims to improve standards and quality of practice within the sub-specialty by promoting training, research and development. It also interacts with members of the public, to seek their advice and opinions on communicating clinical ideas, through an active Stone Patient Advisory Group, which meets on a regular basis, and is deeply committed to the audit of endourological practice in the UK.There is an Annual Spring Meeting which, in 2014, was held in Cambridge. The main meeting is held during the BAUS Annual Meeting in June every year.