Department of Urologic Surgery

Minimally invasive UIrologic Surgery procedures can be considered under two main categories:
Endourology and Laparoscopic Surgery

Remarkable developments in technology, surgical instrumentation and expertise have occurred over the past decade. Many urologic surgical procedures that have traditionally been performed through large incisions in the abdomen or the flank (side) can now be performed through small (one quarter to one inch) incisions or no incision at all.  The exact same surgical procedure can be performed through these small incisions, thereby reducing the amount of pain the patient may experience after the operation, shortening the hospital stay, and allowing patients to return to their normal activities more quickly.

Dr. S. Duke Herrell oversees the Minimally Invasive Urologic Surgery Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  He is certified by the American Board of Urology and is fellowship trained in Endourology and extracorporeal whock wave lithotripsy (SWL).  He has extensive experience with laparoscopic Urology and has written numerous book chapters and journal articles on Endourology and laparoscopic Urology. His Endourology/Laparoscopic Urology Fellowship Training Program is recognized by the Society of Endourology.  A state-of-the-art operating room has been developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for performing the minimally-invasive Endourologic and laparoscopic Urologic procedures.