Urology

Urological Conditions

Kidney Stones

Stone Disease Treatment at University of Rochester Medical Center

The University of Rochester Medical Center is home to one of the nation’s largest stone disease treatment centers, dealing with about 1,000 patients every year. Working with colleagues in the Department of Nephrology, our urologists favor a multi-disciplinary approach that considers all forms of treatment. They’re especially concerned with ways of preventing recurrence.

When surgery is needed, our urologists prefer using minimally invasive surgical techniques. These techniques involve making very small incisions through which the surgeon inserts tiny instruments or “scopes” that have a mini-camera attached (such as an endoscope, that’s inserted into the urinary tract, or a laparoscope, that’s inserted into the abdomen). These instruments allow the doctors to do the surgery and see it on monitors. Some minimally invasive procedures involve no incisions at all; the tiny instruments are inserted into natural body openings (as in ureteroscopy).

For patients, minimally invasive surgery means faster recovery, less post-operative pain and smaller scars than traditional surgery. Our urologists are among the nation’s leaders in pioneering and practicing minimally invasive surgery.

For example, Dr. Erdal Erturk, our stone specialist, uses the most advanced form of ureteroscopy, combining the ureteroscope with a laser. The ureteroscope locates the stone, then the laser vaporizes it.

Strong Health urologists also do important research and run major clinical trials that help advance our understanding of stones and develop and evaluate new treatment methods. For more information about this, see Clinical Trials at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Erdal Erturk call 585-275-3690.