Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery

University of Chicago urologists are experts in a variety of minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgeries and procedures. Our surgeons are able to perform about 90 percent of all urologic abdominal surgeries using laparoscopic technology--including the removal of kidney and prostate cancers providing the same effects as traditional surgery.

Benefits to Consider

Our experts employ the latest minimally invasive techniques to spare the nerves responsible for sexual function. University of Chicago surgeons are able to remove prostate cancers while preserving urinary function.

The benefits of laparoscopic surgery include much shorter hospital stay, shorter recuperation time, and less pain.

Because the incisions that are needed for laparoscopic surgery are small, scarring is minimal--often resembling birthmarks when fully healed. In some cases, we can even choose the placement of the incisions so that scars are hidden or not as noticeable.

At the Forefront of Technology

Dr. Arieh Shalhav performs minimally invasive surgery using the Da Vinci Surgical System.

Like standard laparoscopy, surgeries performed using the Da Vinci system allow patients to return home more quickly--and with less scarring--than with open surgeries.

World-Class Surgeons

University of Chicago urologists are experts in a variety of diseases and conditions. Our staff includes one of the pioneers in minimally invasive laparoscopic urologic surgery. These types of minimally invasive surgeries require completely different skills than open surgeries. Our surgeons go through rigorous training to perform these procedures--over and above traditional surgical training.

The physicians here are highly skilled and committed to sharing their knowledge with others. Our director of minimally invasive urology routinely trains other surgeons in the Chicago area and across the country.

Justin had robotic surgery to treat a complex case of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and horseshoe kidney. »Read Justin's story

Advanced Approach Available to Children & Teens

University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital pediatric urology experts are highly skilled in using minimally invasive and robotic techniques to treat urological problems in children and teens. In fact, Mohan S. Gundeti, MD, director of Pediatric Urology, was the first surgeon in Chicago to perform robotic surgery to treat a urological problem in a child. Our pediatric urology team is experienced in performing a wide range of minimally invasive and robotic surgery procedures for children, such as reconstruction of congenital abnormalities of the kidney and bladder.