Department of UrologyWelcome to La Peer Health Systems Department of Urology. This particular department of the surgery center focuses on the health of the urinary tract, bladder, and the male reproductive system. Urologists diagnose, treat and aim to prevent the diseases and conditions that can affect the urinary system and reproductive system. Diagnosis is a large and important area of urology, and our physicians, doctors and nurses in this department are fully qualified in carrying out various diagnostic procedures. What makes La Peer Health Systems Department of Urology great is the combination of expert physicians and cutting edge technology. La Peer uses the latest diagnostic procedures and equipment to ensure a correct diagnosis is made and the treatment is as minimally invasive as possible. The urology department is also heavily involved in research and clinical trials carried out by our research team at La Peer Health System, so that we can improve service to our patients and move forward in the medical field to develop new, more successful treatments. La Peer Health System's Department of Urology uses a variety of tools to diagnose a problem. The urologist may use an ultrasound machine to produce an image of the urinary tract and bladder to give further insight, or an internal examination may also be carried out using an endoscopic camera, which gives an accurate image and is a fantastic diagnostic tool for urological conditions. Whatever your problem is, your urologist at La Peer will work with you to create a treatment plan to ensure a positive outcome.
Conditions Treated:
Procedures:
If you are suffering from a problem with your urinary tract, bladder, or male reproductive system, then please contact our urology team at La Peer Health Systems. You can call La Peer at (310) 360-9119 and ask to speak to a member of the Department of Urology. UROLOGICAL CONDITIONS TREATEDBladder Cancer: Bladder cancer occurs when there is an abnormal growth and multiplication of cells in the bladder, which the normal body mechanisms failed to detect. The signs of bladder cancer usually include:
The signs of a prolapsed bladder are:
Bladder Stones: Bladder stones are small mineral stones that form in the bladder. It is important to note that bladder stones are not the same as kidney stones, and are less common than kidney stones. Bladder stones actually occur more in men than women; of all the people who have experienced bladder stones, 95% of them are men. Signs of bladder stones include:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is the benign enlargement of the prostate gland. BPH is a very common problem among older men. It is estimated that half of men in their 50's have benign prostatic hyperplasia. A common sign of BPH is difficult urination. Because the prostate surrounds the urethra, it can compress the urethra making it difficult to empty the bladder. Other symptoms of BPH include slow urine flow, urinary hesitancy, urgency to urinate, and urinary incontinence. Treatments for BPH can consist of medication, TUMT therapy, pelvic floor rehabilitation, TURP, or TURiP, and PVP.
Incontinence: Incontinence is the unwanted release of urine from the bladder. There are different types of urinary incontinence one may experience. Here are the different types:
Hematuria: Hematuria is the condition where a person has blood in the urine. Blood in the urine can be a sign of many different conditions and should be checked by an urologist. The blood can be visible to the naked eye or at a microscopic level. In many cases, when the amount of blood is minuscule, hematuria is only detected when testing the urine for another reason. Hematuria can be the result of a kidney stone, kidney infection, urinary tract infection, prostate infection, urinary tract cancer, kidney cancer, kidney disease, and prostate cancer. Because hematuria is a symptom of an underlying condition, there is no formal treatment other than treating the underlying cause. Kidney Cancer (Renal cell carcinoma): The kidneys are the organs that filter the blood and create urine. The most common form of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma begins in the lining of the kidney tububles. In the early stages, kidney cancer does not present any symptoms. When symptoms appear, the cancer has progressed into a more advanced stage. The signs of kidney cancer are:
Kidney infections: A kidney infection is a urinary tract infection that has traveled up to the kidneys. Kidney infections typically start in the bladder or urethra and move to the kidney. The signs of a kidney infection include:
Kidney stones are often very painful and many patients experience the following symptoms:
If you have developed kidney stones in the past, there is a 50% chance you will develop kidney stones again. Oftentimes, this is a recurring disease. Other risk factors for kidney stones are a family history of the disease, recurrent urinary tract infections, high protein diets, obesity, and some bowel disorders such as Crohn's disease and chronic diarrhea. If the stone is small, then it is best to let it pass. Drink plenty of fluids to help it pass faster. Kidney stones can be comprised of different materials, and depending on the material, your doctor may give you medication to help dissolve the stone. If the stone is having difficulty passing, extracorporeal shock wave lithrotripsy (ESWL), ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy, or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) may be done to break apart the stone.  Prostate cancer: The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. The prostate gland secretes the liquid portion in semen. Prostate cancer is cancer in this gland and is the most common type of cancer among men. Prostate cancer often does not have any symptoms in the early states, which is why it is very important to have regular screenings. When symptoms do appear, they are:
Urinary tract infection: A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. The majority of urinary tract infections begin in the urethra or bladder. The signs of urinary tract infection include:
Testicular cancer: Testicular cancer is the growth of a tumor or cancerous cells that begins in a testicle. Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men aged 15-35. The risk factors for testicular cancer include a family history of testicular cancer, an undescended testicle, abnormal testicle development, younger age for men, and Caucasian race. The signs of testicular cancer are:
If you are suffering from a condition mentioned on this page, then please contact our Department of Urology at La Peer Health Systems. You can call La Peer at (310) 360-9119 and ask to speak to a member of the Department of Urology. La Peer Surgery Center- Department of Urology PROCEDURES AVAILABLE AT LA PEERBrachytherapy: Brachytherapy is often used to allow radiation treatment for prostate cancer to be more effective and safer. This procedure places an implant into the prostate gland to help improve radiation therapy results. It also helps minimize the exposure to surrounding organs, such as the rectum and bladder. Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy is a procedure where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze the prostate gland to prevent the spread of prostate cancer. This procedure is often used in conjunction with other procedures and in recurring prostate cancer patients. Special care has to be taken to ensure the urethra, bladder, and rectum are not affected. Cystolitholapaxy: A procedure where a small tube, a cystoscope, with a camera at the end is inserted in through the urethra and into the bladder to find the stone. The doctor then breaks the stone apart with an ultrasound, laser, or device and flushes it out of the bladder. Cystectomy: This surgery involves removing the either part or the entire urinary bladder organ. A radical cystectomy removes the entire bladder along with the lymph nodes surrounding the area. This is done to prevent metastasis of cancer cells to other organs, especially the vital ones. A partial cystectomy only involves removing a part of the bladder. Extracorporeal shock wave lithrotripsy (ESWL): This procedure is a non-invasive procedure used to break up kidney stones so they are small enough to pass. A machine uses energy to send shock waves through the body to break the stone apart. This procedure is often used when a stone is too large to pass. Laser Photovaporization of the Prostate (PVP): This procedure is used to treat BPH. An endoscopic camera is inserted in the urethra and a laser is used to vaporize the tissue in the prostate. The surgery has lower risk of complications, is minimally-invasive, and yields less time with a catheter.
Pessary: A pessary is a device that is inserted into the vagina or the anus to help support the bladder. It helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and urinary functions. Pessaries can also be used to treat stress incontinence. Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND): This procedure is the removal of the lymph nodes near the testicles. It is often performed if testicular cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Testicular cancer commonly spreads to the nearby lymph nodes. The doctors at La Peer perform this procedure with special care to save the nerves in this region. The nerves near the lymph nodes are important to sexual functions, and saving the nerves will allow you to maintain sexual pleasure. Transurethral Plasma Vaporization and Resection of the Prostate (TURiP): This procedure is used to treat BPH and is very similar to the TURP. TURiP is a procedure where a endoscope is inserted into the urethra and part of the prostate is vaporized away.
Transurethral Resection of the Bladder (TURB): This procedure is used to remove bladder tumors to prevent any cancer from spreading. In this surgical operation, an instrument is placed in the urethra and is pushed into the bladder. The bladder tumor is removed through a small wire loop on the instrument's other end by means of cutting or burning. Ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy: This procedure is used to break apart kidney stones in the ureter. A scope is inserted into the urethra, through the bladder and into the ureter. A laser can be inserted through the scope to break the stone apart, or they can remove the stone in a small basket. Vasectomy: A vasectomy is a procedure used to sterilize a man. The procedure cuts the vasa deferntia, which takes the sperm from the testicles and mixes it with the seminal fluid from the prostate gland. The procedure is often used when a man does not want be able to impregnate a woman. The procedure is minimally invasive, takes very little time, and has a short healing time. Although vasectomies are reversible, it is very difficult and a great amount of thought should be considered before having a vasectomy. After a vasectomy is performed, sperm is still produced by the body but the body eventually breaks down the excess sperm and reabsorbs it. La Peer Surgery Center- Department of Urology DoctorsDr. Michel is a renown and highly accomplished Urologist who has dedicated his career to providing state of the art care for his patients with a warm, and nurturing touch. He is highly respected by his peers and serves as an expert consultant to his colleagues. readmore Address: 8631 W. THIRD STREET, SUITE 715E Los Angeles, CA, 90048 Address: 8631 W 3RD ST SUITE 715E Los Angeles, CA, 90048 |
Bladder Prolapse:
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL):
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP):
