Urology

MaineHealth Urology provides comprehensive care for adult and pediatric urinary and genital tract disorders in Biddeford and South Portland, Maine. We treat a wide variety of health concerns including urologic cancers, stones, urinary incontinence, male infertility and impotence, urinary infections and congenital abnormalities in infants and children.

Patient-centered urinary and genital tract disorder care

We are the largest, and most experienced urologic team in northern New England. Our patients enjoy easy access to a full range of urologic expertise, including Maine’s only fellowship-trained specialists in urologic oncology and urologic robotic surgery. Our physicians are also actively engaged in clinical research and teaching - giving our patients access to the latest treatment innovations, close to home.

Services

Our adult and pediatric urology services include:

Bladder biopsy
Botox for overactive bladder
Flexible cystoscopy
No-scalpel vasectomy
Pelvic muscle rehabilitation (PMR) and biofeedback
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS)
Prostate and bladder ultrasound
Prostate cancer screening
Trans-rectal ultrasound of the prostate (TRUS) biopsy
Urodynamics
Urolift for BPH (enlarged prostate)
Robotic and laparoscopic surgery
Urologic surgery
Hand assisted laparoscopic surgery
Holmium laser surgery
Lithotripsy (stone fragmentation)
- Holmium laser lithotripsy
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
Minimally-invasive ureteroscopy
Prostate/bladder/kidney surgery

Kidney Stones

Most kidney stones originate as crystals in the kidney, enlarge over time, and then pass through the urinary tract. Before recent medical advances, most patients with stones either passed them spontaneously, or underwent open surgical incisions to remove them. Today however, it is rare for patients to undergo open stone surgery. With the current use of spiral CT scanning, most stones are now rapidly diagnosed and treated. Learn more about our kidney stone prevention program.

Male Urological Health

We offer full diagnostic and treatment services for men experiencing problems with infertility, erectile dysfunction, and other male urological health concerns. Our clinicians make up the most experienced team of men’s urology health experts in northern New England, and as part of an academic medical center, are involved in world-class research efforts. The result is expert men’s health care, close to home.

Pediatric Urology

Our pediatric urologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat the urologic problems of children, such as congenital conditions (abnormally-developed organs from birth) and acquired problems, which develop or become apparent after birth.

Urinary Incontinence

Incontinence can affect people at any age. Our team of urologists will work with you to first understand the cause, and then come up with a shared solution. Incontinence is treatable—through both non-surgical, and surgical means.

Genitourinary Cancer

We take a multidisciplinary approach to genitourinary (GU) cancer care. Radiation oncology, surgical urology and medical oncology all collaborate on the optimal course of treatment for patients. Our clinical outcomes for GU cancers are consistently excellent compared to national benchmarks—and are based on the largest patient volume in northern New England for these cancers. Our GU cancer program includes:

The only fellowship-trained urologic cancer specialists in Maine.
A dedicated Genitourinary Cancer Clinical Patient Navigator. This trained oncology nurse ensures that patients receive the education necessary to make an informed decision regarding their treatment and addresses barriers to receiving timely access to this treatment.
A robust database to track outcomes for GU cancer patients and continually monitor and improve the quality of care we provide.
Twice-monthly genitourinary tumor conference bringing together all the appropriate specialists.
Recognition as one of five model prostate cancer programs nationally by the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Robotic & Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery

This minimally invasive surgical approach, which enables major surgery to be performed through the smallest of incisions, is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. Using hand controls that manipulate robotic instruments, surgeons can access spaces inside the body otherwise very difficult to reach. This leading-edge technology has been shown to improve patients’ recovery experience and clinical outcomes with such benefits as:

A shorter hospital stay
Less pain
Fewer complications
Less scarring
Minimally Invasive Kidney Stone Management

Kidney, ureter and bladder stones occur when minerals in urine crystallize into small, hard masses that can cause pain, bleeding, obstruction or infection. Urologists at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center were the first to perform kidney stone lithotripsy in the state. Our urologists have developed sophisticated algorithms for the surgical management of urinary stone disease and utilize the latest in technology to improve outcomes in our patients.

Cryosurgery for Renal (Kidney) &Prostate Cancers

Cryosurgery is the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. It is another minimally-invasive technique that we offer to patients with kidney and prostate cancers that allows urologists to target very small areas with little blood loss and fewer complications.

Laser Prostatectomy for BPH

Laser therapy is a minimally-invasive alternative to the surgical procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. The benefits of the laser treatment include less risk of bleeding, less time with a catheter, a shorter hospital stay and a faster, less painful recovery. The laser treatment is particularly beneficial for patients who are taking blood thinners.

Microsurgical Vasectomy Reversal

While a vasectomy should be regarded as permanent, advances in microsurgery have enabled surgeons to reverse the procedure and restore fertility in many cases. The reversal procedure—performed under a special microscope – involves reconnecting the cut ends of the vas deferens, the small tubes that carry sperm from a man’s testicles. It is performed on a same-day, outpatient basis.

Improved Diagnosis & Treatment of Prostate Cancer

We offer the latest technology in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer - combining magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound technology to identify and target tissue to be biopsied for testing. With improved biopsy accuracy, there may be fewer tissue samples required, and thus lower risk of infection, bleeding, pain and recovery time.

Traditional tests for prostate cancer include:

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy

MRI/US-guided fusion biopsies are an option for patients with a prior negative TRUS biopsy with continued elevated or rising PSA or positive DRE as well as men on active surveillance for prostate cancer.

Patients typically have their MRI images taken before the biopsy. Radiologists use a computer program to pinpoint the suspicious lesion on the image. The program then combines the MRI images with US images to help the physician target the suspicious tissue with greater accuracy than previously available.

The new technology will aid the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Also, for men with early stage prostate cancer who choose active surveillance, this technology provides an additional tool with which to monitor cancer progression.

Patient Education and Resources

Cancer

Incontinence

Interstitial Cystitis

Kidney Health

Prostatitis

Prostate Cancer

Reproductive and Sexual Health

Sexually Transmitted Diseases