(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Already at the forefront of procedures in Oman, the urology department at Al Raffah Hospital has proved itself to be of a world-class standard with the successful completion of several landmark cases.Headed by Dr Krishanu Das, the urology department at Al Raffah utilises the most advanced keyhole surgery technology in the country to carry out increasingly complex procedures. Urology in its broadest sense focuses on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males. In Oman, the majority of procedures carried out relate to kidney stone removal, a very common ailment compared to many other countries. Dr Das is quick to extol the virtues of laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) in cases of kidney stones. He said, ''The procedure used to be very time consuming and involved trauma for the patient. With keyhole surgery we do not need to make a large incision but instead make three small holes where we enter the affected area using specialist tools linked to a monitor. We can go into the kidney itself and, with infinite precision, attend to the kidney stone and any infection that may be around it.''In a recent procedure a patient was referred to Dr Das after having visited many clinics that tried, unsuccessfully, to use more traditional techniques to remove his kidney stone. He was finally referred to Raffah Hospital where Dr Das immediately recognised the need to operate as soon as possible to relieve the patient's pain and help him lead a normal life again. ''The patient was was considering going abroad to Thailand or India to find a solution. As soon as I saw his x-rays I knew that the best solution was to undertake a laparoscopic procedure to remove the stone. As it turned out the stone was one of the largest to have been operated on and, at over 7cm long, probably the largest in Oman. Much to the client's relief he went home the following day with no side effects, and pleasing cosmesis as keyhole surgery does not require major cutting of the skin.''
