Minimally Invasive Urology Surgery

Why choose UCLA Health for minimally invasive urologic surgery?

At UCLA Health, our Urology Department is one of the most progressive and comprehensive of its kind in the country. We use the latest minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery techniques, resulting in quicker recoveries and less discomfort.

Highlights of our program include:

History of expertise: We began using robotic techniques for urology surgeries in 2004 and have since performed thousands of robot-assisted operations. Our urologic surgeons have the specialty training, precision and experience to offer world-class care.

Personalized treatment: We tailor each treatment plan to meet your unique needs. Our experts recommend the least invasive, most effective methods to treat urologic conditions.

Full range of surgical options: We offer all types of surgical options, including minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures, robot-assisted surgeries and, when needed, open surgery. Many patients can have outpatient operations and return home the same day.  

Research and advancements: We continually advance surgical care through research and training. The UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology enables surgeons to train and simulate surgeries before operating on patients. Our training programs ensure that patients have access to exceptional urologic surgeons for years to come.

Conditions urologic surgeons treat

Our specialists may offer minimally invasive or robotic urologic surgery for:

Bladder cancer: Cancer that starts in the bladder, the organ that holds urine before it exits the body

Kidney cancer: Cancer that starts in the kidneys, the organs that remove waste and excess fluid from the blood

Kidney stones: A hard deposit of minerals that forms in the kidneys and is often very painful to pass through the urinary tract

Pelvic organ prolapse: A condition in which the pelvic organs drop from their usual position due to damaged or weak pelvic muscles or tissues

Prostate cancer: Cancer that starts in the prostate, the small gland in males that produces seminal fluid

Testicular cancer: Cancer that starts in the testicles, the male organs that create sperm and testosterone

Vesicoureteral reflux: A condition in which urine flows backward from the bladder to the kidneys

Minimally invasive urologic surgeries we offer

We specialize in minimally invasive and robot-assisted procedures to remove cancerous tumors and lymph nodes, correct pelvic organ prolapse, break up kidney stones and repair urinary tract valves. Procedures include:

Partial nephrectomy: The surgeon removes part of one kidney while keeping as much healthy tissue intact as possible.

Pelvic reconstructive surgery: The surgeon repositions pelvic organs and repairs pelvic tissue.

Radical cystectomy: A surgeon removes the entire bladder, as well as surrounding lymph nodes. In men, the surgeon may also remove the prostate and seminal vesicles. In women, the surgeon may also remove the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and part of the vagina.

Radical prostatectomy: A surgeon removes the prostate gland and some surrounding tissue, including the seminal vesicles, the glands that store semen.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: A surgeon removes lymph nodes from the abdomen, where testicular cancer tends to spread. This surgery is performed to treat testicular cancer or determine how widespread the cancer is.

Shock wave lithotripsy: This procedure uses ultrasonic waves to break up kidney stones into smaller pieces, making them easier to pass.

Surgery for vesicoureteral reflux: The surgeon operates through a few small incisions to repair the valves between the bladder and the ureters, the tubes that carry urine between the bladder and kidneys.

Meet our team

Our urology surgeons are world-class experts in minimally invasive and robotic procedures. We personalize each treatment plan, using the optimal approach for each patient. UCLA Health physicians continually research new treatments and offer patients leading-edge therapies.