Urology

Our diagnostic tools include physical exams, urine evaluations, stress tests, ultrasounds, cystoscopies, X-rays and urodynamic tests. We also use advanced imaging, including:

• Cystograms — This X-ray examines the urinary bladder with fluoroscopy and a water-soluble contrast agent. It shows the shape and position of the bladder and is often performed to assess bladder injury after trauma to the pelvis.
• Cystourethrograms and voiding cystourethrograms — These are slight variations on the cystogram. They are most often useful in diagnosing the cause of recurrent UTIs, urinary incontinence or structural abnormalities.

As varied as urologic conditions are, so are the options for treatment. Our programs include:

Erectile dysfunction

Low T is not the only cause of ED. The most common cause is actually reduced blood flow to the penis caused by cardiac conditions, such as high blood pressure or hardening of the arteries.

To treat ED, we typically use hormone replacement therapy, but it does not always cure the condition. In those cases, we can help you make lifestyle changes, update current medications or recommend new medications, psychotherapy, vacuum devices and surgery.

Incontinence and overactive bladder

The loss of bladder control is especially frequent in women because it is often related to pregnancy and childbirth or menopause.

Once you have been given a clear diagnosis, your treatment plan will be created and may include:

• Behavioral modification techniques, such as breathing exercises, or lifestyle changes, such as avoiding beverages that trigger incontinence
• Physical therapy, such as Kegel exercises, to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, increasing your ability to hold urine
• Medication, such as anticholinergics, to alter the balance between the bladder pressure and sphincter tone, or estrogen therapy to strengthen the vaginal wall
• Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) to send mild electrical impulses that impact the nerves responsible for bladder control
• Botulinum toxin (commonly known as "Botox") injections through a cystoscope to help block signals that trigger overactive bladder
• Surgery may be successful if other treatments are not

Testosterone deficiency

A testosterone deficiency is a condition in which a man has less than average levels of the male sex hormone, testosterone. A result of low testosterone is a reduced sex drive (libido) and/or ED. Hormone replacement therapy is the main method of treatment for low testosterone, but our doctors will work with you to find the best treatment plan for you.

Urologic cancers

Through our partnership with the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute, we offer coordinated, comprehensive care and treatment for urologic cancers, including bladder and prostate cancers. Some of these treatments include:

• Endourologic (laparoscopic) procedures to remove cancerous tissue without creating an incision
• Robot-assisted surgical procedures to remove prostate cancer

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH (enlarged prostate)

The causes of BPH are uncertain, but there are several risk factors related to developing an enlarged prostate, such as age and family history.

Our treatments for an enlarged prostate include medication, prostate artery embolization (PAE), transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) (laser therapy), transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) and robotic surgical intervention.

Prostatic hydroablation therapy

Our hospital is the only facility in Colorado offering prostatic hydroablation therapy (commonly known by the brand name "Aquablation"). This is a safe and effective, surgical robotic treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH.

With this therapy, there are two simple steps:

• Creating a surgical map — Unlike other available procedures, this therapy combines a camera (cystoscope) with real-time ultrasound imaging to view the entire prostate, allowing the surgeon to create a unique surgical map that is tailored to the patient’s prostate size and shape. This map helps the surgeon identify the areas of the prostate to remove and those to avoid, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.
• Removing the prostate tissue — With the surgical map in place, a robotically controlled, heat-free water jet removes prostate tissue.

Visit our webpage to learn more about prostatic hydroablation therapy.

Robot-assisted surgery, sometimes called robotic surgery, involves specially trained surgeons using robotic equipment. This approach is minimally invasive because it involves just a few small incisions, resulting in less damage to surrounding tissues. The benefits of these techniques include faster healing and less scarring.

Some of the robot-assisted urologic surgeries we offer are:

• Bladder suspension
• Cystectomy
• Nephrectomy
• Orchiectomy
• Prostatectomy
• Cryosurgery for prostate cancer
• Robotic simple prostatectomy
• Pyeloplasty
• Robotic pyeloplasty
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Ureteral reimplant surgery
• Urogynecological procedures for infertility, uterine fibroids and pelvic congestion syndrome