The general urology department is replete with world renowned surgeons who specialize particularly in prostate and kidney surgeries. In the U.S. News and World Report hospital rankings, July 2007 New York Presbyterian ranked #2 for kidney disease and # 6 for urology. In the main operating rooms, the caseload includes simple and radical prostatectomies, nephrectomies for tumor and congenital abnormalities, as well as surgery for incontinence, erectile dysfunction, cystectomies for bladder tumors and reconstructive surgeries. Robotic surgery takes place at Columbia.  It is being used for radical prostate surgery, bladder, kidney and gynecologic surgery.  The cases give us new challenges in anesthesia and more rapid recovery for the patients.

The cystoscopy suite has a large caseload of cystoscopies, as well as lithotripsies, percutaneous nephrolithotomies, and transurethral prostatectomies. Because of the vast caseload, residents on rotation gain experience in sedation techniques, and in the administration of spinal and general anesthesia. The patients vary widely in age and health status. A large number are quite elderly with advanced medical illnesses which allows residents to gain skills in different monitoring techniques. In addition, they learn to manage hyponatremia and water intoxication ("TURP Syndrome"), dysrhythmias, and other medical problems seen in the Cystoscopy Suite