Hospital breaking new stones
ST VINCENT’S Private Hospital Toowoomba’s urological specialists now have state-of-the-art technology to treat patients with kidney, bladder and ureteral stones.
The Cook Holmium Laser System is the first of its kind in Toowoomba and is expected to reduce travel for patients.
Dr John Hempenstall and Dr Devang Desai are treating patients with this technology from this week at St Vincent’s Hospital.
The technology uses lasers to remove many different types of stones in the bladder, kidneys or urethra without any incisions.
Dr Desai said for patients it was a game changer.
“It’s important, I think, for patients to be made aware of the benefits of this treatment, that we can do the procedures locally – no need to travel to Brisbane,” Dr Desai said.
“The use of the laser means immediate relief of symptoms to patients, a quick recovery time as there is no need for any incisions and patients can be discharged soon after the procedure.”
Dr Hempenstall said the machine used a flexible laser fibre inserted into a scope through the urethra to the stone located in the bladder, ureter or kidney.
“When activated, the laser beam breaks the stone into smaller sizes which are then capable of being passed naturally,” Dr Hempenstall said.
“No incisions are necessary at the time of the operation, however, the procedure is done under general anaesthetic.”
St Vincent’s Hospital CEO Kathryn McKeefry said the ability to offer the procedures within the hospital’s comprehensive urology service continued to provide options on the Darling Downs for patients who previously needed to go to Brisbane for treatment.
The achievement comes after another Toowoomba-first procedure earlier this year when Dr Desai performed the first urethroplasty surgery.
The surgery, for men, is where the urethra is reconstructed to cure problems like urethral stricture. For more go to svphb.org.au/ or toowoombaurology.com.
❝ It’s important, I think, for patients to be made aware of the benefits of this treatment... — Dr Devang Desai