Dr. Justin M. Refugia

Raj Pruthi is an Urologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Pruthi is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Thrombectomy. His top areas of expertise are Bladder Cancer, Urothelial Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Cystectomy, and Nephrectomy.

I am a urologic surgeon with fellowship training in urologic oncology, specializing in cancers of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. My focus is on delivering personalized care using advanced surgical techniques, including robotic and minimally invasive procedures, to optimize recovery and outcomes. Whether treating prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer, I aim to preserve function while providing effective treatment. I emphasize clear communication to ensure patients understand their diagnosis and are involved in their care. I also engage in ongoing research to explore innovative therapies in urologic oncology. Dr. Nabavizadeh is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Thrombectomy. His top areas of expertise are Ureterocele, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Penile Cancer, Nephrectomy, and Penectomy.

Prior to arriving at Duke, I was faculty at UT Southwestern where I had a dual appointment at the North Texas VA for 10 years. During this time, I was one of the highest volume robotic VA surgeons treating veterans with urologic cancer in addition to my clinic practice at UTSW. I joined the Urology department at Duke in 2024. At Duke, I have continued my focus on urologic oncology, specifically prostate, bladder and kidney cancer. I have a particular interest in prostate cancer. I was one of the earliest adopters of a novel surgical technique termed the Retzius Sparing Prostatectomy, which allows for the earlier return urinary control. I have further adopted a novel technique for the treatment of localized prostate cancer known as irreversible electroporation (IRE). This technique is a form of focal therapy for carefully selected patients. The advantages of IRE include less urinary and sexual side effects than conventional prostate cancer treatments. In addition, my clinical expertise includes advanced robotic reconstruction of the upper urinary tract. These procedures involve using segments of bowel or buccal grafts (inner lining of the cheek) to reconstruct damaged ureters. Dr. Gahan is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in Thrombectomy. His top areas of expertise are Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Enlarged Prostate (BPH), UPJ Obstruction, Nephrectomy, and Prostatectomy.