What are the Conditions We Treat at Advanced Urology Institute?

Are you looking for comprehensive, effective, and safe urology services in Florida?

Advanced Urology Institute is here for you. 

With a healthcare institure designed to provide excellent, compassionate, patient-centered urologic care, Advanced Urology Institute offers top-notch, life-changing, and life-saving urology services. 

Through our experienced board-certified physicians, we’ve become a one-stop center for evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and care for all types of urological conditions. 

We have well-equipped, thoroughly-resourced urology centers throughout the state of Florida, ensuring you can enjoy and access the highest level of care from a facility near you.

What conditions do we treat?

At Advanced Urology Institute, we use a multidisciplinary approach to help our patients diagnose, treat manage and recover from all urologic conditions. 

This includes prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, painful urination, kidney and bladder stones, erectile dysfunction, and cancers of the bladder and kidney, ureter, and testicles.

For the men, we offer diagnosis and treatment of:

  1. Enlarged prostate (BPH)
  2. Bladder problems
  3. Erectile dysfunction and male infertility
  4. Penis and testicle problems
  5. Low testosterone (low T)
  6. Peyronie’s disease
  7. Urinary incontinence
  8. Overactive bladder
  9. Vasectomy and vasectomy reversal
  10. Urinary tract infection
  11. Prostatitis
  12. Kidney stone removal

For the women, we diagnose and treat:

  1. Chronic pelvic pain
  2. Vaginal dryness
  3. Vaginal pain
  4. Pelvic organ prolapse
  5. Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  6. Urinary incontinence
  7. Overactive bladder
  8. Interstitial cystitis
  9. Pyuria
  10. Kidney and bladder stone removal

Life-saving cancer care

We offer safe and effective state-of-the-art treatments, minimally-invasive surgical procedures, and palliative care for cancer patients who desire the highest level of cancer care. 

Our medical and surgical teams take a collaborative approach to treatment. Integrating expert knowledge from recent research and various innovations and specialties, we can ensure every patient receives the utmost care for the best possible outcomes.

We diagnose and treat:

  1. Prostate cancer
  2. Testicular cancer
  3. Bladder cancer
  4. Kidney cancer
  5. Urethra cancer
  6. Retroperitoneal tumors
  7. Soft tissue tumors

Wide range of revolutionary technology

Advanced Urology Institute boasts a friendly and supportive environment where providers offer urology services that integrate the latest technology in diagnosing and treating various conditions. 

As a result, AUI has an exceptional track record in diagnosing and treating urological problems and a reputation for outstanding outcomes for patients.

Some of the techniques we use include:

  1. Minimally-invasive incontinence procedures
  2. Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer, female pelvic prolapse, and pediatric and adult urologic conditions
  3. Minimally-invasive prostate surgery
  4. Reconstructive bladder and kidney surgery
  5. Partial and total nephrectomy
  6. Endoscopic stone surgery, including percutaneous techniques
  7. Minimally-invasive endoscopic, percutaneous, and shockwave nephrolithotomy for renal calculi
  8. Urodynamics
  9. Penile implant surgery
  10. Testosterone replacement therapy
  11. Vasectomy and vasectomy reversal
  12. Sacral nerve stimulator (interstim)
  13. Botox injections
  14. Pediatric surgery, including circumcisions, hypospadias, and orchidopexy
  15. Cryoablation and cryotherapy for prostate cancer
  16. MRI fusion biopsies of the prostate
  17. Radiotherapy including brachytherapy, oncology services, and clinical trials

Safe, reliable, and effective urology care

At Advanced Urology Institute, we are committed to treating others as we would like to be treated. We value and prioritize the wellbeing of our patients and want to see them overcome their condition and live fulfilling lives. 

We offer urology services tailored to our patient’s needs and give safe, effective therapies that will deliver the best outcomes.

When you visit AUI, you will feel at ease and encouraged by the support you will receive.

We are committed to answering all your questions and providing you with the best information to help you make the best decisions about your health.

Call us today to schedule your consultation and find relief from your urological problem.

What Advantages Do Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery Offer with Dr. Amar Raval?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries offer several advantages, including reduced pain, smaller incisions, and shorter hospital stays, which lead to faster recovery times.
  • These minimally invasive techniques provide improved visualization and precision during surgery, resulting in better outcomes.
  • Dr. Amar J. Raval, MD, is a urologist in Tampa, FL, and a member of the Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida.

Amar J. Raval, MD and the Rise of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery

Dr. Amar J. Raval, is a urologist in Tampa, FL, specializing in advanced surgical techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. With the ever-evolving field of urology, these minimally invasive procedures have become increasingly popular for their numerous benefits, including reduced pain and faster recovery times. In this article, we will explore the advantages of laparoscopic and robotic surgery as explained by Dr. Raval.

Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgery: Minimally Invasive Techniques for Better Outcomes

Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are minimally invasive techniques that offer several advantages over traditional open surgery. As Dr. Raval explains, these methods involve small incisions, leading to less pain and shorter hospital stays for patients. This translates to a quicker recovery, with minimal discomfort during the healing process.

Improved Visualization and Precision

One of the most significant benefits of laparoscopic and robotic surgery is the enhanced visualization these techniques provide. Dr. Raval emphasizes the importance of being able to see small anatomical structures in great detail and in 3D, which ultimately leads to improved surgical outcomes.

The precision offered by robotic surgery, in particular, allows for more refined movements during the procedure, resulting in better surgical results. This level of accuracy can be vital when working with delicate structures in the urinary tract or reproductive system.

Reduced Complications and Scarring

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are also associated with a lower risk of complications and less scarring compared to traditional open surgery. Due to the smaller incisions and the minimally invasive nature of these procedures, there is typically less blood loss and a reduced chance of infection.

Furthermore, the reduced scarring not only offers cosmetic benefits but can also decrease the likelihood of complications related to adhesions, which are bands of scar tissue that can form after surgery.

Dr. Amar Raval at Advanced Urology Institute

Dr. Amar J. Raval is a skilled urologist in Tampa, FL, who is dedicated to providing the best possible care for his patients. As a member of the Advanced Urology Institute, the largest urology practice in Florida, Dr. Raval works alongside a team of experienced urologists who share his commitment to excellence in patient care.

By offering state-of-the-art laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, the Advanced Urology Institute ensures that their patients receive the most advanced and effective treatments available in the field of urology.

TRANSCRIPTION:

My name is Amir J. Raval and I’m with Advanced Urology Institute. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery is unique because it minimizes your pain, has small incisions, and results in a shorter hospital stay. These three benefits are a big deal and patients recover faster with minimal pain and discomfort. Additionally, with robotic and laparoscopic techniques, the visualization is significantly improved. You’re able to see small anatomy in great detail and in 3D, and make fine movements for a better outcome and surgery.

REFERENCES:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Robotic Technology in Urology – Dr. Shaw Zhou

Shaw Zhou, MD of St Petersburg, FL

My name is Shaw Zhou, I am with Advanced Urology Institute.

Robotic surgery is truly precise, for example, the magnify [goes] up to ten times so the doctor can see better and if your doctor has a hand tremor [it’s still] very steady. You got four arms instead of two arms, so you have two arms to grab for you and so on and so forth. And you have three dimensional [view], you can see much better. The traditional labs got surgical screens which are two dimensional so you don’t have that sense of depth. However the drawback is first of all, the doctor sits 10 feet away, so God forbid if something happened, your doctor will have to go in, wash your hands and you are not by your patient

Also you lose the tactile sensation, cause you don’t feel it no more. When you tie a knot or whatever you know, the tactile sensor feed gives how much force you use now, [before] it’s purely by experience. Although the new robot that we’re talking about that has tactile sensationin other words you can visually see it. They see how much force [is needed] if its red or green. So it’s getting better and better, eventually new robots keep on coming out but in the future I think we can overcome all these shortcomings for robot surgery.

What are the benefits of da Vinci Robotic Surgery According to Dr. Rolando Rivera

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The da Vinci® robotic surgery technology has revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery, offering consistent and superior outcomes and enabling patients to recover faster.
  • The benefits of da Vinci robotic surgery for patients include reduced pain, less blood loss, reduced risk of infection or complications, less scarring, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.
  • The da Vinci system offers surgical professionals advantages such as improved dexterity, a wider range of motion, enhanced visualization, improved access to hard-to-reach areas, and improved outcomes that spare healthy tissue.

If you are facing surgery, you want the most effective and least invasive approach to the operation. You can rest easy when you hear that your procedure will be done with the da Vinci® robotic surgery technology.

The da Vinci approach has transformed minimally invasive surgery, enabling patients to get back to what matters sooner. Over the past 20 years, da Vinci platforms have offered consistent and superior outcomes, pioneering new capabilities in the operating room. The da Vinci robotic surgery has virtually revolutionized the field of minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Rolando RiveraSurgical Approach with da Vinci Robotic Surgery

  1. Surgeons and operating room staff who use the da Vinci system are given comprehensive training by the manufacturer. Their professional education includes simulation for skills and procedures, along with practice and peer guidance.
  2. The da Vinci robotic surgical system offers a minimally invasive alternative to laparoscopy and also to open surgery. (Laparoscopy surgery is a procedure that uses fiber-optic instruments inserted through the abdominal wall to see and repair internal organs.)
  3. Because robotic surgery offers greater precision and control for the surgeon, and is performed by just a few tiny incisions, patients generally recover sooner.

Benefits of da Vinci Robotic Surgery for Patients

Patients will be thankful for the many benefits of robotic surgery using the da Vinci approach:

  • Reduced pain
  • Less blood loss
  • Reduced risk of infection or complications
  • Less scarring because of smaller incisions and fewer sutures
  • Briefer hospital stays/faster recovery
  • More rapid return to normal activities, including urinary continence, sexual function, and more.

Benefits of da Vinci Robotic Surgery for Surgical Professionals

To understand more about the benefits of the da Vinci system, consider these advantages. Aided by the da Vinci system’s ergonomic design, your surgeon is able to get a magnified 3-D view with high-definition while operating from a comfortably seated position. Your surgeon can operate precisely with these advantages:

  • Improved dexterity
  • Wider range of motion
  • Enhanced visualization including areas that are not visible by the naked eye
  • Improved access to otherwise almost inaccessible areas
  • Improved outcomes, sparing healthy tissue not impacted by cancer

The superior results with a da Vinci robotic surgery procedure are ideally suited for urologic conditions. At the Advanced Urology Institute, urologists such as Dr. Rolando Rivera perform minimally invasive robotic surgeries for prostate cancer, vasectomies and more complex surgeries such as reconstruction. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

TRANSCRIPTION: 

I’m Rolando Rivera and I’m board certified in Urology and Female Public Medicine and Reconstructed Surgery with Advanced Urology Institute.

Yes, the DaVinci machine, which is a trademark platform in general robotic surgery, is designed to improve the ability of the surgeon to get the tissues and see the structures through small incisions via laparoscopy, it’s based on laparoscopic principles.

You can get to the different organs and use 10 times magnification in a three-dimensional array, so you can see things very close and very magnified. And the robotic platform allows you to have more precision, takes away the surgeon’s tremor because the instruments do all the movement that you guide in a console, so it allows you to do more refined treatments and surgical techniques. Well, because you’re not opening big incisions and you’re creating less trauma, less trauma leads to less inflammation, then pain is less of an issue. And whenever you have small incisions, less trauma, less inflammation, you’ll have quicker recovery.

REFERENCES: 

What Are The Advantages of Using Robots in Surgery?

The use of robots in surgery, also called robotic surgery or da Vinci surgery, is an impressive fusion of medicine and engineering that has transformed the medical field. It involves the use of miniaturized robotic instruments inserted into the body through a small incision and guided through the operation by a surgeon sitting at a console. It has brought the following advantages:

1. Increased visibility and precision

The surgeon views the entire anatomy, with specific focus on the surgical site, through a 3D high definition camera. This means even the smallest blood vessels are visible and the surgeon can follow the movement of the instruments with pinpoint accuracy. The surgeon has a clear view of what they are working on and the incidence of human error is cut down dramatically. The smaller instruments also can access tight spots that otherwise would be impossible or extremely difficult for a surgeon to reach.

2. It is a minimally invasive procedure

The incisions made in robotic surgery are only done to accommodate the tiny instruments. There is a world of difference between this procedure and open surgery where a surgeon has to make large incisions on skin and sometimes even cut through muscle to reach the surgical site. The minimally invasive nature of robotic surgery means numerous additional benefits, such as:

a. It causes only a little bleeding;
b. It results in minimal scarring;
c. The patient requires a short recovery period;
d. The patient suffers less pain and physical discomfort, both during and e. after the surgery;
f. There is a very small chance of post-surgery infections;
g. Overall there is less surgical trauma; and
h. There is a rapid return to normal everyday activities.

3. It is less strenuous on surgeons

Most surgeries take two to three hours but complex procedures go on for longer. Surgeons must stay sharp and focused, and in the case of open surgeries, on their feet for as long as the surgery takes. It is only fair to expect that they might suffer from fatigue. In robotic surgery, the surgeon sits can view the anatomy of the patient and control the surgical instruments while sitting at a console. This is definitely easier on the surgeon, who should be able to better maintain better concentration during long surgeries. It also makes it less likely for a mistake to occur.

Robotic surgery is available for almost all surgical procedures. A patient should see a specialist to discuss the applicability of robotic surgery to his or her case. For prostate, kidney and other urinary system problems for instance, the highly specialized urologists and doctors at Advanced Urology Institute can help you with a diagnosis as well as explain the best procedures for you, including robotic surgery. For more information about robotic surgery, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

Recent Advances in Prostate Cancer Treatment

 

Prostate cancer is cancer of the gland that produces seminal fluid for the nourishment of sperm. Some cases are slow developing and do not affect the patient significantly. These can be managed by watchful waiting and constant monitoring. Others are aggressive and must be addressed immediately. As with most cancers, early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment.

Developments in the treatment of prostate cancer

1. Multiparametric MRI (MpMRI) in diagnosis

Determining which cancer is life threatening and which one is not is a critical issue. In order to carry out a more efficient diagnosis, doctors now are using an MRI guided biopsy instead of the more traditional transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy. The MpMRI provides better results determining if the prostate is infected and if the cancer has spread outside the prostate. It can help a doctor decide whether or not a patient should undergo a biopsy. And the MpMRI can be used to monitor the cancer growth, making it a very useful tool when watchful waiting is adopted.

2. Use of immunotherapy in treatment

Until recently, it was thought that immunotherapy was ineffective against prostate cancer. Prostate cancer treatment was primarily limited to surgery, hormone therapy and radiotherapy. In recent years, however, researchers have found that immunotherapy, specifically a drug called pembrolizumab, may be effective in treating aggressive cases of prostate cancer that have advanced beyond the other forms of treatment.

3. Robotic surgery

Like most other areas of surgery, the treatment of prostate cancer has benefited from the use of robotic or the da vinci surgical system that is guided by a surgeon operating from a console. Patients who undergo prostatectomy to remove the prostate may avoid open surgery by opting for robotic surgery. Benefits of robotic surgery include reduced bleeding, reduced pain, low risk of post surgery infections and fast recovery rates.

Medical advancements have improved cancer treatment outcomes and changed lives for the better. At Advanced Urology Institute, the team of specialists uses the latest techniques and technology for treating prostate cancer. They are available to offer consultation, diagnosis and treatment best suited for the individual patient.

For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

What are the advantages of the da Vinci surgical system?

The da Vinci surgical system is an advanced and effective tool for performing minimally-invasive surgeries. It is a state-of-the-art tool that makes the most of the surgeon’s skill, expertise and experience in conducting urologic procedures. Known as da Vinci because Leonardo da Vinci devised the first robot and used three-dimensional detail and incomparable anatomical accuracy to give life to his masterpieces, the surgical system gives physicians such precision and detail that it effectively simulates an open surgical environment while allowing the use of tiny incisions.

How does the da Vinci system work?

The da Vinci surgery is robot-assisted and minimally-invasive, done via small incisions. The robot’s hands offer a high degree of dexterity, which enables surgeons to operate in the very tight spaces and delicate tissues of the genitourinary tract that otherwise would only be accessed through the longer incisions of open surgery. The da Vinci robot is a self-empowered, computer-controlled device that has been programmed to help in the positioning and maneuvering of surgical instruments. It gives surgeons better precision, flexibility, accuracy and control over surgical procedures.

When using the da Vinci system:

1. The urologist operates from a computer console situated in the operating room, directing and manipulating miniaturized instruments mounted on 3 robotic arms to create small incisions in the patient.

2. During the procedure, the doctor looks through a 3D camera attached to a fourth robotic arm that magnifies the surgical site.

3. The hand, wrist and finger movements of the surgeon are transmitted straight through the computer console and to the instruments attached to the robotic arms, resulting in mimicked movements with the same range of motion as that of the surgeon and allowing maximum control.

4. The robot is supervised by the surgical team at the patient’s bedside.

What are the advantages of the da Vinci surgical system?

1. It ensures that surgeries are more precise by providing better visualization, improved dexterity and greater accuracy.

2. It enables surgeons to conduct complex surgical procedures using tiny incisions.

3. It replicates the surgeon’s technique and movements in real-time, with the surgeon seated just a feet away from the patient viewing an actual image of the operating field while performing the procedure in real-time by manipulating a miniaturized instrument and using tiny incisions.

4. It transmits force feedback sensations from the operating field to the surgeon, which are then used as a substitute for tactile sensations and are augmented by the superior vision offered by the high-resolution 3D view to deliver better visualization, accuracy and precision.

The da Vinci is designed to ensure that both simple and complex procedures are done using incisions of 1-2 cm (also called operating ports), potentially resulting in:

1. Reduced trauma, pain and discomfort to patients
2. Fewer complications
3. Shorter recovery time and quicker return to routine activities
4. Minimal scarring
5. Reduced blood loss and need for transfusions
6. Minimal hospitalization costs

At Advanced Urology Institute, we have incorporated the da Vinci surgical system into our practice. Over the years, we have been able to use the increased range of motion, improved visualization, enhanced dexterity and greater surgical precision offered by the robotic system to deliver improved treatment outcomes to our patients. We are also proud of the skilled and experienced professionals at AUI whose training, fortitude, passion and expertise in the use of advanced technologies have enabled us to provide the best possible care to our patients. For more information on our services, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” site.

Advantages of da Vinci Surgical System

The da Vinci Surgical System is a minimally invasive procedure where the operation is performed with the help of robotic instruments inserted through minor incisions. The surgeon sits at a console that offers a three dimensional view of the patient’s anatomy and full control over the surgical instruments.

The da Vinci system provides a suitable alternative to the more traditional open surgery where a surgeon has to make large incisions through skin and muscle to reach the affected organ. It also is an improvement to other minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy. Now a patient has the opportunity to choose robot assisted laparoscopy over conventional laparoscopy.

Advantages of the da Vinci Surgical System

1. Increased precision

The precision with which miniaturized robotic instruments move through the body is comparable to that of a scalpel in a surgeon’s hand. Robotic instruments can access parts of the anatomy that are delicate or hard to reach with no risk of accidental puncture or laceration. The margin of error is very low because precision increases accuracy.

2. Reduced blood loss, pain and scarring

Blood loss, pain and scarring are incidental to any surgical procedure. Blood loss is especially critical and it is a significant contributor to mortality rates in procedures such as hepatic and thoracic surgery. The da Vinci Surgical System requires very little cutting and the incisions made are very small. Advantages of the smaller incisions include less pain, smaller amount of blood loss and a shorter healing period after the surgery. The high definition cameras and the 3D view in the da Vinci Surgical System also offer increased visibility, which reduces the chances of puncturing blood vessels or any other part during the surgery.

3. Faster recovery

Patients who undergo surgery using the da Vinci system report faster recovery. They require less after care and the risk of post surgery complications is remarkably reduced. This is especially the case with post surgery infections, which are a concern in cases of open surgery because of the larger wounds. Patients undergoing this kind of surgery realize the objectives of their treatment quickly and they can return to their normal activities with no problems.

Conclusion

The da Vinci Surgery System is available for almost all forms of surgery, including gynecological, kidney and colorectal. Areas such as urology are known to have been at the forefront of adopting this system to urological surgeries and to date, most urologists, including the members of the Advanced Urology Institute, champion the use of the da Vinci Surgery System.

For more information about the da Vinci Surgery System, visit the “Advanced Urology Institute” website.