Urological Surgery
Dr. Bernard Howerter, Urologist
Director: Teresa Barker, RN, BSN
For Information: 620-252-1581
Urology is the surgical specialty that focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with urological disorders. The organs covered by urology include the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis). Both Urologists and General Surgeons operate on the adrenal glands.
Dr. Bernard Howerter has been practicing in Coffeyville for over 30 years. Some of the more common procedures that he performs are:
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy, or cystourethroscopy, is a procedure usually performed by a urologist that allows the physician to see the inside of the lower urinary tract (urethra, prostate, bladder neck, and bladder). Cystoscopy can be used to detect abnormalities of the lower urinary tract.
In this procedure, a cystoscope (thin, telescope-like tube with a light and tiny camera attached) is inserted into the bladder through the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body).
Cystoscopy may be used to evaluate and diagnose the following conditions:
- Bladder cancer
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Interstitial cystitis
- Painful urination
- Urinary blockage (e.g., enlarged prostate [BPH], narrowing of the urinary tract [stricture], polyps, tumors)
- Urinary incontinence or overactive bladder
- Urinary stones
Nephrectomy
It is a surgical procedure for the removal of a kidney or section of a kidney due to severe kidney damage from disease, injury, or congenital conditions. These include cancer of the kidney (renal cell carcinoma); polycystic kidney disease (a disease in which cysts, or sac-like structures, displace healthy kidney tissue); and serious kidney infections. It is also used to remove a healthy kidney from a donor for the purposes of kidney transplantation.
Transrectal Ultrasound
Prostate Biopsy – Your doctor is likely to recommend this test if you've had a rectal exam or blood tests that suggest that you might have prostate cancer. For this test, a urologist takes tissue samples from several places in your prostate, to be examined for cancer. A transrectal ultrasound helps the urologist see the prostate during the procedure.
Bladder Resection
Transurethral Resection (TUR) of the bladder is a surgical procedure that is used both to diagnose bladder cancer and to remove cancerous tissue from the bladder. This procedure is also called a TURBT (transurethral resection for bladder tumor). General anesthesia or spinal anesthesia is usually used. During TUR surgery, a cystoscope is passed into the bladder through the urethra. A tool called a resectoscope is used to remove the cancer for biopsy and to burn away any remaining cancer cells.
Prostate Resection
Prostate Resection or Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) – The most common problem for men over 50 is an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH). Your doctor may recommend TURP if symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate do not improve with medication. This surgery is used to remove a section of the prostate that is blocking urine flow.
Vastectomy
A vasectomy is considered a permanent method of birth control. A vasectomy prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates. During a vasectomy, the vas deferens from each testicle is clamped, cut, or otherwise sealed. This prevents sperm from mixing with the semen that is ejaculated from the penis. The testicles continue to produce sperm, but the sperm are reabsorbed by the body. Because the tubes are blocked before the seminal vesicles and prostate, you still ejaculate about the same amount of fluid.
Circumcision
of males for all ages.