Innovative technologies in the urology field have led to more effective ways to address a wide spectrum of urinary issues. Urologist Dr. John Keizur is embracing these new treatment options to help his patients.
“In urology, we're going to treat anything that has to do with the urinary system and pelvic floor. So, we'll see patients with prostate issues, kidney stones, urinary incontinence, but also a range of cancers of the kidney, bladder, prostate, and testicles. Anything that falls under that umbrella, we're going to take care of,” states Dr. John Keizur, board certified urologist at Palouse Urology Center.
UroLift
One treatment for men with enlarged prostates is UroLift. This minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment addresses compromised bladder function; minimal side effects accompany the procedure (bonus points for no catheter!), and the data supports symptom relief.
“It's a nice bridge between patients who are on medications, but maybe not doing so well. Or maybe they just want to be off the medications. But, they're not so symptomatic that they want to proceed with invasive surgery. This is a nice option for them to do,” shares Dr. Keizur.
Blue Light Cystoscopy
Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview is used by urologists to “see” more potential bladder cancer while performing bladder cancer removal surgeries. “The reoccurrence of bladder cancer is high; missed tumors can contribute to recurrence. In surgery, the Cysview solution will illuminate potential cancers bright pink under a blue light, which can ensure I remove more tumors than are detected through magnification and typical light,” said Dr. John Keizur.
“It's really important to pick these up early when they first arise. Blue light is a very interesting technology. When we look into a bladder with standard white light, we may be missing some tumors we just can't see. But when we do this with the blue light, we suddenly can see these small, early lesions that otherwise would've been missed,” explains Dr. Keizur. “So it's a great technology to give our patients better, long-term control, reduced recurrences, and a more complete removal of these small tumors.”
Robotic-Assisted Surgery
With robotic-assisted surgery becoming more commonplace, it’s surpassing “traditional” surgery in many cases. Robotic procedures allow for smaller incisions, which means patients have less postoperative pain and are back on their feet quicker. In 2022, the da Vinci Xi replaced the Si model, which was first introduced at Pullman Regional Hospital in 2012. The hospital’s da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical system is used by seven local surgeons for procedures in urology, gynecology, and general surgery. A dedicated robotics team in Pullman Regional Hospital’s operating room has ten years of experience in da Vinci surgeries.
“We've had the robot technology here for a number of years but recently upgraded to the new machine. This gives us more versatility in how we position the machine. We can come at different angles,” shares Dr. Keizur. “It allows us to expand what we can do in a minimally invasive realm.”
Staying on the Cutting Edge of Urinary Health
Urology is constantly changing. New medications arise, as well as technologies that improve outcomes. Dr. Keizur feels fortunate to be a part of the Pullman Regional Hospital community, where these innovative solutions are embraced—by hospital leadership, physicians, and the patients themselves.
“It's really impressive how they can offer these latest innovative technologies. Patients don't have to travel to other places, and they can stay local. Staying on the cutting edge, especially in the surgical theater, is important and it's very helpful for patients.”
For more information about urology services and technologies, ask your primary care provider for a referral to Palouse Urology Center today!
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