A new laser treatment is enabling patients with small bladder tumours to have them removed as a quick outpatient procedure at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.
Previously patients having bladder tumours removed would be in theatre for up to an hour and a half, need general anaesthesia and some would remain in hospital for at least one night following their biopsy.
The TULA laser is thin laser fibre which is passed through a cystoscope into the bladder.
Due to its flexibility practitioners can reach more areas of the bladder and remove bigger tumours under local anaesthetic.
Urology surgical care practitioners Nicola Nicholson and Jon Broughton are being trained to perform the state-of-the-art-laser treatment at the Northallerton hospital.
Nicola said: “We are excited to offer this service for our patients with bladder tumours at the Friarage, it is a massive development for these patients.
“Not only is it reducing the amount of time people need to spend in hospital, but it is also enhancing their recovery – they can typically return to normal activities the next day.”
Jon added: “From our point of view, as well as being extremely beneficial for our patients, the new laser treatment is also proving to have many benefits for our team too.
Since it’s a quicker outpatient procedure, it means others such as our team can be trained to deliver this service, freeing up consultant time, and theatre space to focus on those who need it.”