News and Events

When Dr. Attila Barabas joined Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, NH in February 2008, he introduced some new innovations and advanced technologies that are normally found at much larger hospitals for the treatment of urological medical conditions. As a board certified Urologist, Dr. Barabas has been trained to diagnose, treat and manage male and female urinary track disorders and disorders of the male reproductive system. These areas of the body include kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs.

Many of the new technologies and procedures are less invasive and offer safer and more effective treatment for patients with urologic conditions — from the simplest health problem to the more complex. Typically minimally invasive procedures offer the patient less discomfort, quicker recovery, and better outcomes than traditional surgery.

Prostate Cancer

Dr. Barabas offers many examples of exciting, state-of-the-art technologies for urologic diagnosis and treatment. For example, one of the breakthroughs in successfully treating prostate cancer is called Cryotherapy which Dr. Barabas is certified to perform. It’s an outpatient procedure that uses ultrasound technology to guide ice rods that freeze and ultimately kill the prostate cancer. Thus, it provides a much less invasive method for treating this disease as compared to a radical prostatectomy.

Enlarged Prostate / BPH

For men who have been diagnosed with enlarged prostates or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) where oral medication isn’t effective, Dr. Barabas offers a procedure to relieve urinary symptoms caused by the benign growth of the prostate called Photoselective Vaporization. This minimally invasive, outpatient laser procedure removes the actual enlarged and obstructing portion of the prostate by vaporization. This procedure can provide significant improvement in the majority of men with low risk of adverse effects.

Future department developments may include Transurethral Microwave Thermal Therapy, a relatively simple outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. With the aid of a urinary catheter, a tiny antenna is inserted into the urethra. The antenna delivers microwave energy to heat and destroy the overgrown tissues while avoiding damage to normal tissues.

Bladder Disorder / Urinary Incontinence

For individuals who suffer from certain bladder disorders or urinary incontinence or leakage, Dr. Barabas can perform a complex investigation of lower urinary track functions using a procedure called Urodynamics. This procedure assesses how the bladder performs its job of storing and releasing urine and is used for determining the best method of treatment.

One of the treatments for incontinence that Dr. Barabas is certified to perform is called Interstim Therapy. Interstim uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate nerves in the lower back. The stimulant acts to inhibit muscles and organs that contribute to urinary control. Interstim is mainly used for patients with a refractory overactive bladder. These patients suffer from severe urinary frequency and/or urgency and may have associated urinary incontinence. The main type of incontinence most women think of is stress incontinence for which Dr. Barabas performs a procedure that places a sling under the urethra for support. It’s an outpatient procedure that can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life.

“There has been tremendous progress in procedures and treatment of incontinence in women and overactive bladders in men over the last several years,” states Dr. Barabas. “No one should believe that loss of urinary control is simply an accepted part of aging.”

Kidney / Ureteral / Bladder Stones

For patients with a kidney stone, ureteral stone or bladder stone, Dr. Barabas frequently performs laser lithotripsy. This procedure is done under anaesthetic and is considered minimally invasive. Dr. Barabas inserts a scope into the patient’s urethra and proceeds visually up the urinary tract to locate the target kidney or bladder stone. Once the stone is located, a thin laser fiber is introduced and advanced until it comes in contact with the stone. Light from a laser is directed through the fiber and the stone disintegrates or fragments.

Dr. Barabas also performs minimally invasive Laproscopic Surgery for treating cancerous kidney tumors.

For more complicated surgeries or procedures where a specialist is required, Dr. Barabas refers his patients to Dartmouth Hitchcock, Concord Hospital and Maine Medical Center.