Urology

The Shannon Clinic Urology department provides a diverse spectrum of urologic care including treatment of conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, prostate and urinary tract. Three board-certified physicians with more than 45 years of combined experience, a highly-trained staff, and proficiency in the latest treatments and technologies combine to give the Clinic the ability to keep patients at home for treatment. The Clinic treats patients of all ages.

Our Clinic treats patients of all ages for conditions including:

Pediatric urology care
Cancer care; kidney, bladder, and prostate
Advanced treatment for complex kidney stone disease with laser treatment of stones
Erectile dysfunction and penile implants
Testosterone replacement therapy and hormone pellet therapy
Minimally-invasive and robotic surgery for kidneys and prostates
Surgical correction of stress incontinence and overactive bladder
In-office, minimally-invasive treatment for BPH and prostate obstruction

Services include:

Kidney Stone Treatment

Kidney stones often form when urine becomes concentrated, allowing minerals and salts to harden and bond together. They occur for a variety of reasons including genetics, dehydration, obesity, certain diets, and other medical conditions. Patients with kidney stones will often experience severe pain on one side or the other with nausea and vomiting. Stones can resolve on their own but advanced treatment may be needed.

Treatment is individualized based on the location and size of the stone with the goal of a single procedure for the patient. Treatment is individualized based on the location and size of the stone with the goal of a single procedure for the patient.
- A ureteroscope, a thin, lighted scope equipped with a camera, removes the stones with a laser, essentially turning them to dust to be easily flushed out of the body. This method does not require an incision and offers a higher success rate than lithotripsy.
After their first kidney stone, patients have a 50 percent chance of developing more within the five years to follow.
- Urologists have found patients who have one stone are usually interested in taking steps to ensure another one does not develop. To help with this, Shannon’s urologists have established a program to determine the cause of the first stone. Patients are given a metabolic evaluation to help find the cause and instructions are given to help prevent development of additional stones.

Cancer Care

Kidney, bladder and prostate cancer can all be treated through our Clinic. We offer quick access provided upon diagnosis. Our goal is to see patients in our Clinic within five working days to begin assessment and determine a plan for treatment.

Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers found in men— the American Cancer Society states 1 in 7 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
- Screening is recommended for men ages 55 to 70 and urologists look for high risk factors that may indicate prostate cancer. Sometimes, a prostate cancer biopsy is needed to determine if the area of concern is cancerous or not. If cancer is present, treatment options include active surveillance, radiation and surgery. The course of treatment is determined on an individual basis.
- If prostate surgery, a prostatectomy, is required, it can be performed openly or robotically. The majority of prostatectomies in the US are now performed robotically due to the benefits for the patient before and after surgery. The da Vinci Xi Surgical System, the latest da Vinci model, was designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery, including urological procedures.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
- The advantages of each robotic procedure are similar and there are advantages for both the surgeon and the patient.
- For the patient:
  - Recovery is much smoother.
  - Hospital stays are shorter.
  - Less pain medication is required after surgery.
  - Less tissue is destroyed with the robotic technique, and the statistic of less pain and blood loss has been proven through multiple studies.
  - The risk of having to convert to an open procedure is also significantly reduced.
- Performing a prostatectomy with the robot also allows for better visualization and smaller incisions. The surgeon is 100 percent in control of the robotic-assisted da Vinci Xi System, which translates hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of the miniscule instruments inside the patient’s body.

Specialized Urology Care

Urinary Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine, urinary incontinence, is a problem experienced by millions of men and women. Several methods of treatment can help soothe overactive bladders.

Botox injections, one method of treatment offered at our Clinic, helps by calming the nerves that overstimulate the bladder muscles and cause the urge to urinate.
Women of advanced age normally experience incontinence more frequently, but it can affect all ages, races and backgrounds. Our Clinic offers specialized treatment for women with incontinence, freeing them from the burden of an overactive bladder and returning their quality of life.
Spanner stents are an option for men who may have issues voiding their bladder due to the use of long term catheters. The stent is placed into the urethra to help maintain urine flow. This stent allows men to fill and empty their bladder naturally.

Testosterone Pellets

Hormone pellet therapy is a convenient way to steadily dose testosterone for hormone replacement therapy in adult males ages 30-75. The slow-release hormones are designed to last 3-4 months and aid in certain conditions causing low or absent testosterone in the body. Testopel testosterone pellets are inserted just under the skin of the hip or other fatty area during a 10 minute in-office procedure. The pellets are FDA-approved and covered by most insurance providers. All Shannon Urology Providers are able to offer this as a service to their patients.

Penile Implants

Penile implants are a treatment option for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. This type of treatment is recommended if the cause of your ED stems from a proven medical condition and when it cannot improve naturally or be treated by other methods. There are two types of penile implants. The urologist will work with you to determine if this treatment option is suitable for you and your condition.

Pediatric Urology Care

Our Clinic offers urology services for pediatric patients. Medicaid is accepted. Referrals are accepted from all providers.

Help is Available

It is important to visit with your healthcare provider about any family history, questions, or concerns you may have regarding your health and including urological conditions. A urologist can help you determine which course of treatment is right for you.

For more information on any of these conditions, please call 325-481-2231.