Dr. Hugo Arriaga-Morales

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Dr. Hugo Arriaga-Morales is a urological surgeon specializing in minimally invasive endourology since 2007. With over 10,000 urology procedures performed, he is recognized as the leader in Guatemala for using the latest technology to resolve stones and tumors of the kidneys, urinary tract, and prostate. Dr. Arriaga is the General Manager of Urologia Integral in zone 10 and the founder of the Guatemalan Journal of Urology.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate gland, affects about 50% of men over 60. It is a common, noncancerous condition in older men where the prostate gland grows larger than normal. This enlargement can lead to various urinary symptoms as the prostate presses on the urethra and bladder, hindering the flow of urine.  While BPH doesn’t increase the risk of prostate cancer, its symptoms can significantly impact quality of life.

Procedures to Treat BPH:

1. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate – HoLEP.

HoLEP is the latest and most advanced minimally invasive treatment worldwide for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and Dr. Arriaga is well-known as the HoLEP specialist in Central America. He was trained in Berlin, Germany and has performed over one hundred of these procedures in Guatemala since 2017. Dr. Arriaga serves as an instructor to surgeons in other countries, as well.

HoLEP uses a laser beam to remove the tissue from an enlarged prostate, allowing the urine to flow without restriction. It was developed in the 1990s as a more effective and potentially less costly surgery for urinary obstruction. Since it requires no incisions, the patients enjoy fewer complications, faster recovery, and better results in the long-term. It replaces the green light laser therapy because patients can heal faster with fewer side effects.

2. Rezūm Therapy

REZUM is a non-surgical therapy that uses the natural energy stored in water vapor, or steam, to shrink enlarged prostates that could cause lower urinary tract symptoms like frequent urges to urinate.

Rezūm Therapy is typically performed comfortably in Dr. Arriaga’s clinic. During each 9-second treatment, sterile water vapor is released throughout the targeted prostate tissue. Over time, your body’s natural healing response absorbs the treated tissue, shrinking the prostate.

3. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

TURP is a conventional and standard technique for the treatment of hyperplasia by removing the inner part of the prostate causing it to reduce in size. Dr. Arriaga will explain to you the benefits and concerns of each type of treatment.

4. Radical prostatectomy

This procedure involves the complete removal of the prostate gland, which is located below the bladder and around the urethra in men. Dr. Arriaga would perform prostatectomy as a treatment for prostate cancer, although in some cases it would be used to treat non-cancerous prostate problems, such as BPH, when other treatment options are ineffective.

The doctor tells us about a recent patient with enlarged prostate: “The gland was big, about 3 ounces and would have been ideal for Holmium laser surgery. To accommodate the budget limitations of the patient, we used a more economical type of bipolar energy with a loop instrument. We achieved the same goal, with some additional monitoring, and the expense was more accommodating for the patient.”

When your symptoms indicate stones or obstructions, then Dr. Arriaga will use a variety of high-tech diagnostic tools to investigate further. For diagnosis treatment of enlarged prostate, urinary blockage, or infection, Dr. Arriaga has latest generation technology available at Urologia Integral so he can review precise digital images to make a diagnosis and determine the best solutions for you.

A video-urethroscopy is an endoscopic examination that allows visualization of the entire urethra, the bladder neck, and the interior of the bladder. They can diagnose and treat bladder diseases, take tissue samples, or diagnose an enlarged prostate. An ultrasound probe is inserted to show the location of the problem and remove a small sample of tissue. An outpatient cystoscopy can take between 5 and 15 minutes.

Transperineal ultrasound and urodynamics analysis studies are helpful as back-up exams used for diagnosing and monitoring various pelvic floor conditions.

Urinary Tract Infections

The most common urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, although other issues like viruses, fungi, or parasites could be involved. They are classified as upper, in the kidneys and ureter, or lower in the bladder, prostate or urethra. The common symptoms of UTI are urgent and frequent need to urinate, itching, pain, or burning when urinating, fever and chills, or lower back pain.

Vasectomy

This is a routine elective procedure for men, considered one of the most effective methods of contraception, as it is over 99% effective in protecting against pregnancy.

If you suffer from any sort of urinary symptoms, take advantage of the special price for new patients and talk to Dr. Arriaga about what happened and how you are feeling. He will perform an ultrasound and physical exam and respond to your questions about the best way to treat and correct the issues. There are always options, and you can trust Dr. Hugo Arriaga to be honest and experienced in finding the right solution for you.