Director:
Michael Stifelman, M.D.

The Minimally Invasive Surgery Program is committed to developing new technologies to treat even the most complex urinary tract disorders more effectively and less invasively. Our program focuses on endoscopic urologic surgery, kidney stone prevention and treatment, and laparoscopic urologic surgery.

ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY
Greatly reducing the length of hospitalization, recuperation, and the cost of treatment.

Endoscopic surgery utilizes very small endoscopes which allow the surgeon to inspect all aspects of the urinary tract. Specialized tools, including holmium and neodinium lasers, are inserted through these endoscopes to treat blockages and cancers of the upper urinary tract. This technology enables cancers of the renal pelvis and ureter, ureteropelvic junction obstructions and ureteral strictures to be managed without an incision.

KIDNEY STONES
Prevention and treatment.

The innovative technologies applied to management of kidney stones includes extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and complementary endoscopic treatments that employ the smallest diameter endoscopes and laser lithotriptors.

Dr. Stifelman, along with a nephrologist specializing in stone disease, directs an active metabolic stone service as part of the program, with an emphasis on preventing recurrence of stones and preserving renal function. This program is also a study site which strives to define the best medical therapy to prevent future kidney stones.

LAPAROSCOPY
A new technique that requires special training and specialized equipment.

At NYU, many kidney and transitional tumors of the upper urinary tract are managed using laparoscopic techniques. These advanced techniques allow the entire kidney to be removed without a large incision.

Dr. Stifelman's pioneering research has defined the advantages of laparoscopy over traditional open surgery: decreased blood loss, significantly less pain, decreased stay and quicker overall recovery time. At NYU, laparoscopy is also used to remove diseased adrenal glands, repair ureteropelvic junction obstructions,perform renal biopsies, excise renal cysts, and perform innovativeurinary reconstruction techniques. Areas of current research include the use of laparoscopy to remove prostate cancer and to freeze tumors (cryosurgery).

For more information about laparoscopic surgery at NYU Medical Center, please see the NYU Minimally Invasive Website.

Videos of minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic procedures