Frequently Asked
Questions

You can fill in the form or call the practice. The secretariat will contact the patient within 2 business days to confirm the date and time of the visit. For urgent cases, you can indicate this in the message field.

Smaller stones, up to about 5 mm, often pass spontaneously within a few weeks; the likelihood decreases as size increases. For larger stones, or if obstruction, infection or uncontrolled pain occur, treatment is considered.

It is helpful to bring any tests already performed (ultrasound scans, reports, blood tests), the list of medications taken, and your health card. For oncological visits, also the biopsy histology report if available.

Minimally invasive techniques are performed under anaesthesia. On waking, mild urethral discomfort for 24–48 hours is common. Most patients resume activities in 2–3 days.

The visit lasts as long as needed to assess the case properly; the duration varies according to the complexity of the case.

Yes, recurrence is common: without prevention, about half of patients may form a new stone in the following years. Stone composition analysis is essential. Diet and hydration are the cornerstones of prevention.

With small asymptomatic stones, travel is generally possible after assessment. With stones > 1 cm, obstruction or recent infection, it is preferable to treat first.

It is a common concern. After endoscopic enucleation most patients recover continence; in the first weeks there may be urgency or minor leakage, usually temporary. Individual risk depends on age, prostate volume and bladder condition and is discussed at the consultation.

It can affect ejaculation: retrograde ejaculation is common after enucleation. Some technical variants aim to preserve it, with variable results. Erectile function is generally not affected by endoscopic procedures. If ejaculation matters to you, say so at the consultation: it affects the choice of technique.

Enucleation removes the adenoma more completely than traditional resection; for this reason, according to the literature, the risk of needing further surgery over the years is low. Regular check-ups, including PSA, are still needed.

Light daily activities resume in 3–5 days. Intense physical activity and sexual intercourse are possible after 3–4 weeks.

No. The procedure is performed endoscopically through the urethra, with no external incisions.

If you already have a diagnosis and want an independent assessment of the proposed treatment plan, you can ask for a second opinion: an in-person review consultation or, for patients who live far away, an online one, by arrangement with the secretary's office. Please bring or send all your clinical documentation.

No. Depending on the risk profile, active surveillance, radiotherapy or surgery may all be appropriate. The decision is discussed within the multidisciplinary team.

The nerve-sparing technique preserves the neurovascular bundles responsible for erectile function during radical prostatectomy. The robotic approach allows more precise dissection than open surgery, improving functional outcomes.

Dr. Calarco personally evaluates every indication. The choice between robotic, laparoscopic or open surgery or non-surgical treatment depends on the condition, its stage and the patient's health.

The Da Vinci Xi offers seven degrees of freedom of movement (vs 4 for laparoscopy), 10× magnified 3D vision and automatic tremor filtering for greater precision in critical neurovascular areas.

For prostate cancer, studies show similar oncological outcomes for robotic and open prostatectomy, with less blood loss and a shorter hospital stay with the robot. The team's experience remains the most important factor.

In most cases an effective treatment exists: oral medication, local therapies or, if these do not work, a penile prosthesis implant, which the literature reports with high satisfaction levels. The choice depends on the cause and is discussed at the consultation.

Not necessarily. Varicocele is present in 15% of men but causes infertility in only some. Semen analysis determines whether surgical correction is indicated.

Yes, especially in younger patients (<65) with bilateral nerve-sparing technique. Erectile rehabilitation with PDE5-inhibitors begins in the early post-operative weeks. Results depend on age, pre-operative function and surgical quality.

No. Chronic prostatitis is an inflammatory/infectious problem of the prostate; bladder neck hypertrophy or sclerosis is a mechanical obstruction of the passage between the bladder and the urethra. Symptoms can look similar, but the cause and treatment are different.

No. With traditional bladder neck incision or resection, retrograde ejaculation is a frequent effect. The ZANCLE technique was designed to reduce this risk: in the published studies, in selected patients, antegrade ejaculation was preserved. The result in the individual patient cannot be guaranteed.

In the published studies on the ZANCLE technique the improvement in urinary flow was maintained up to 24 months, the latest follow-up reported (Surgeries 2026). Data over longer periods are not yet published; regular check-ups are recommended.