Urology in Hong Kong

Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases of the female and male urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). This branch of medicine also deals with male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis).

Urology has a number of sub-disciplines, including:

• Endourology – this sub-discipline of urology deals with the closed manipulation of the urinary tract. It includes all minimally invasive urologic surgical procedures, such as prostate surgery and stone removal surgery.
• Urologic oncology – this focuses on the treatment of malignant genitourinary diseases, such as cancer of the bladder, prostate, kidney, ureters, adrenal glands, testicles, or penis.
• Neurourology – this deals with the treatment of conditions involving the nervous control of the genitourinary system or abnormal urination.
• Pediatric urology – this focuses on urologic disorders in children, such as congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, cryptorchidism (undescended testes), underdeveloped genitalia, enuresis, and vesicoureteral reflux.
• Andrology – this deals with disorders of the male reproductive system, such as ejaculatory disorders, erectile dysfunction, vasectomy reversal, and infertility.
• Reconstructive urology – this is a highly specialized field of male urology that deals with the reconstruction of both the structure and function of the genitourinary tract.
• Female urology – this deals with conditions of a woman’s reproductive and urinary tract, such as pelvic organ prolapse, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence.

Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists. Urologists can diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both women and men, as well as diagnosing and treating any problems in men’s reproductive tract. In some cases, urologists may also perform surgery. In the case of certain conditions, urologists may need to work in conjunction with medical professionals who specializes in other fields, such as oncologist, radiotherapists, nephrologist, and gynecologist.

Urologists can treat the following conditions:

In men:

• Prostate gland enlargement
• Cancers of the penis, bladder, testicles, kidneys, and adrenal and prostate glands
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Kidney diseases
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome
• Prostatitis
• Varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the scrotum
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

In women:

• Cancer of the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands
• Bladder prolapse, or a condition in which the bladder drops into the vagina
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary incontinence
• UTIs

In children:

• Blockages and other problems with the urinary tract structure
• Bed-wetting
• Undescended testicles

What does Urology Involve?

During your first appointment, your urologist may ask you questions about your health history, any medicines you take, and your current symptoms. Your urologist may do a physical exam that includes a rectal and genital exam. They may also do some tests, such as:

• Imaging tests, such as MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasound to help them locate the problem.
• A urine test to check for bacteria or other signs of disease.
• A cystoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) to see inside the urinary tract and take a sample of tissue for testing.
• A biopsy to check for cancer and other disorders.
• Urodynamic testing to check how fast the urine leaves your body, how much pressure there is in your bladder, and how much urine remains in your bladder after urinating.

After your urologist makes a diagnosis, the treatment will depend on your specific condition. It may include the use of medications and surgery.

Types of medication include:

• Hormone treatment for prostate cancer
• Antibiotics for infections
• Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction
• Chemotherapy drugs for cancer
• Drugs that act on the smooth muscle of the bladder to help reduce urinary incontinence.

Some of the most common types of surgery include:

• A cystectomy, which is a procedure to remove the bladder. This procedure is used to treat cancer.
• A kidney transplant, which involves replacing a damaged or diseased kidney with a healthy one.
• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, which is used to break up kidney stones so they can be removed more easily.
• A repair of damage to the urinary tract due to injury.
• A procedure to open a blockage.
• A repair of urinary organs that are not well-formed.
• A prostatectomy, which is used to remove all or part of the prostate gland. This procedure is performed to treat prostate cancer.
• Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate, which removes excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate, which involves the removal of excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• A sling procedure, which uses strips of mesh in order to support the urethra and keep it closed. This procedure can treat urinary incontinence.
• A ureteroscopy, which involves the removal of stones in the kidneys and ureter using a scope.
• A vasectomy, which is a procedure to cut and tie the vas deferens, or the tubes that carry sperm. This is done to prevent pregnancy.
• A nephrectomy, which involves removing a kidney to treat cancer.

The surgery can be performed in one of two ways: open through a large incision, laparoscopically through several tiny incisions. Both methods are usually performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, local anesthetic may be used instead.

How Long Should I Stay in Hong Kong?

Depending on the procedure you will have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or you will have to stay for up to 5 days. In general, it is highly advisable that you stay in Hong Kong for several days following your procedure for initial recovery and to attend scheduled follow-up checkups. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the country for at least 10 to 14 days.

What's the Recovery Time?

The recovery time varies, depending on the procedure you have, the reason why you need the procedure, and your overall health. For surgical procedures, it may take about one to six weeks until you can go back to your full activity. For non-surgical procedures, you may be allowed to go back to your normal routine within several days. Your urologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline, which includes the time you can go back to work, normal activity, and strenuous activities, such as exercise and heavy lifting.

What About Aftercare?

Your urologist will give you a set of instructions for your aftercare. The instruction may include a diet plan, exercise, restrictions, and medication to take, and wound care. It is important that you follow every instruction closely. After surgery, you will be encouraged to do some light exercise, such as walking, to help your healing process. You may also need to eat easily digestible food until you are recovered.

Depending on your specific condition, you may need to attend regular checkups following your treatment. For instance, if you had cancer treatment, your doctor will suggest you attend a checkup once or twice a year to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of urology is at the forefront of research and innovation. Due to its constant advancement, the procedures are becoming more effective and safer. Each urological treatment is also known to offer high success rates. However, any procedure comes with risks, such as infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs. Therefore, it is important that you choose a skilled and experienced urologist.

Are there Alternatives to Urology?

If you have any injury or disease in your urinary tract and/or reproductive organ (for men), there is no other alternative besides visiting a urology department. However, if your disease is found to be caused by other problems, the doctor will refer you to a relevant doctor.

Urology in and around Hong Kong

About Hong Kong

The former British colony became a special administrative region of China in 1997, when Britain's 99-year lease of the New Territories, north of Hong Kong Island, expired. Hong Kong is governed under the principle of "one country, two systems", under which China has agreed to give the region a high degree of autonomy and to preserve its economic and social systems for 50 years from the date of the handover.

Hong Kong welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Urology procedures. Hong Kong is a well-established hub for medical tourism, although it is better known for its quality and cutting-edge procedures than for cost.

Popular Parts of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a blend of a dynamic cultural landscape with an astonishing skyline, glamorous shopping, as well as one of the world’s top culinary destinations. 

• Victoria Peak (The Peak) offers the best view of Hong Kong’s modern skyline. It is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and the most visited spots by tourists. You can ride the tram to the top where you will find the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria. The peak is covered by a large park filled with incredible greenery.  
• Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha Statue) is located in Lantau Island. It is one of the largest Buddha statues and took 12 years to complete. It is the perfect place for tourists who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Surrounded by forest and ocean, the statue gives an incredible view. The best way to reach the Buddha is by riding the Ngong Ping Cable car which will take you on a spectacular ride over the forest.
• Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the most popular temples in Hong Kong. It was named after the famous monk of yore, Wong Tai Sin. It is said that he has the ability to punish evils, heal the wounded, rescue the dying, and grant whatever is requested. The temple is also known as Sik Sik Yuen and has a traditional Chinese temple style. 
• Temple Street Night Market is the best night market for tourists. Starting at 6.00 pm, it is the place to go if you want to taste Hong Kong’s street food. You can also find vendors selling gadgets, trinkets, clothing, household goods, jewelry, and traditional Chinese crafts. The place is brimming with atmosphere and it has served as the backdrop to many movies.
• Hong Kong Disneyland is a wonderful world for any Disney lovers. The park is divided into seven lands: Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, Main Street, Mystic Point, Fantasy Land, Toy Story Land, and Tomorrowland. Here, you will find various adventures, parades, and musicals. In the evening, you can watch the fireworks over the castle.
• Star Ferry is a beloved icon of the city. It is said that your visit to Hong Kong will never be complete without cruising on the famous ferry. You can see the sparkling landscape of the city while enjoying the refreshing breeze.

Weather and Climate in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s weather is influenced by the monsoon subtropical climate. The temperature is mostly mild all year round. May to September are the warmest months with an average temperature of 33 °C while mid-December to February are the coldest months with the temperature falling to 10 °C. Spring starts from March and ends in early May and the weather during this season is pleasant with many sunny days, but you can also have foggy, rainy, and stormy days. 

The summer in Hong Kong is hot and humid with a perpetual threat of rain showers, thunderstorms, and sometimes even typhoons. Summer lasts for around four months from May to September. With August as the wettest month in the city.

The best time to visit Hong Kong is in the autumn, starting from October to early December when the days are generally sunny and the temperatures range from 22 °C to 28 °C. Winter is the holiday season in the city and the average temperature is around 16 °C to 18 °C but it can drop under 10 °C.

Getting Around in Hong Kong

The main gateway to Hong Kong is the Hong Kong International Airport. The airport is built on reclaimed land on the island of Chek Lap Kok and it serves international destinations to almost every major city in the world, including, Dubai, Amsterdam, Seoul, Canada, Singapore, and Sydney. For affordable travel, budget airlines such as AirAsia, Eastar Jet, and IndiGo are available. There are a wide variety of public transport services to and from the airport. The best options are Airport Express, public buses, and taxis.

To get around Hong Kong, it is best to purchase Tourist Day Tickets which gives you unlimited access to the main MTR and certain Rail lines for HK$65. If you are planning to stay longer in the city, the Octopus Card will be a big help. The card is reusable and can be used for almost every public transportation mode and you can buy the card for HK$150.

One of the fastest and easiest ways to get around the city is by the MTR (Mass Transit Railways) and it is one of the most advanced metro systems on the planet. The MTR operates 11 lines from 06.00 am to 01.00 am. The fare ranges from HK$3.6 to HK$52.6 depending on the distance. 

The public bus is a great way to explore Hong Kong, especially the south side of the island and the New Territories. Most buses are double-decker and air-conditioned and it is an affordable way to get around the city and the fares will vary based on the distance traveled. Other public transportation modes such as tram and ferry are also available.

If you need a more flexible way of travel, taxis are easy to find and offer excellent value. There are three types of taxis, the red taxis operate throughout the city except for Lantau Island and the fares start at HK$24. The green taxis only operate in the New Territories and the fares start at HK$20.50. The blue taxis serve Lantau Island and the fares start at HK$19.

Tourist Visas in Hong Kong

Citizens of around 170 countries and territories may visit and stay in Hong Kong without a visa for up to 180 days. Other countries not listed in the visa-free entry such as Albania, Armenia, and Cambodia need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country. All visitors must have a passport valid for at least one to six months beyond the date of entry to Hong Kong. Visitors can apply for a visa from their nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Hong Kong Dollar. US$1 converts to HK$7.78.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs almost everywhere, and most ATMs are linked up to international money systems such as Maestro, Cirrus, and Visa Electron. Credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is generally not expected and restaurants usually add 10% to 15% service charge to your bill.
3. Local Language: Most people in Hong Kong speak Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin). However, English is also widely spoken since it is one of the government official languages. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: Many people in Hong Kong either follow Buddhism, Confucianism, or Taoism. Christianity is also one of the major religions in the city. Other religions such as Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and the Bahá'í Faith are also freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: Hong Kong celebrates major religious holidays such as Lunar New Year, Ching Ming Festival, and Christmas.