Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Take back control of your health with support from the urogynecology team at Concord Hospital Urologic Institute. Our specialists offer compassionate care for issues affecting your bladder, bowels, and sex organs. You’ll learn about treatment options and get answers to your questions in a welcoming, supportive setting.
Conditions We Treat
If you have one of these pelvic floor conditions, trust us to help you improve your quality of life.
Bladder Problems
- Urethral diverticula – A pocket or sac that forms on the tube that carries urine out of your body
- Urethral stricture – Scar tissue that narrows the urethra
- Urinary incontinence – Loss of bladder control
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – Bacteria in your bladder or urethra
- Vaginal fistula – Hole between the vagina and bladder or urethra that lets urine leak out
- Voiding problems – Trouble emptying the blader
Bowel Problems
- Fistula – A hole that shouldn’t exist between the intestines and the vagina or uterus
- Fecal incontinence – Loss of bowel control
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one of your pelvic organs slips into the vagina. You might experience this condition due to:
- Aging;
- Chronic conditions that strain the pelvic floor, like constipation or coughing;
- Endometriosis;
- Genetic factors;
- Heavy lifting;
- Obesity;
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
Urodynamic Testing
Check Symptoms
Urodynamic tests show how well your urinary tract works. Your doctor might order them if you sometimes have trouble controlling your bladder. These tests can:
- Check for weak bladder muscles or blocked urine flow;
- Measure how much urine your bladder holds or how much is left after you use the restroom;
- Measure bladder pressure;
- Look for nerve or muscle damage;
- Take images of your bladder.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Your doctor may recommend starting with nonsurgical treatments for incontinence, overactive bladder or pelvic organ prolapse. These include:
Bulkamid® Therapy for Incontinence
Bulkamid® is a soft, water-based gel injected into the urethral wall through a series of small injections. The gel adds volume to the urethra, improving its ability to close and control. It's a minimally invasive, long-lasting treatment option for bladder leaks caused by stress urinary incontinence. Similar to facial fillers, Bulkamid® remains in the body over time without causing reactions, offering durable, long-lasting relief.
InterStim® Therapy for Incontinence
InterStim could help if other options don’t work for urinary or fecal incontinence. A surgeon puts a small device under your skin that sends a mild electric current to bladder and bowel nerves. By blocking false signals of urgency, the device lets you regain control of your body.
Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
A surgeon can move slipped pelvic organs back into place with one of these surgical approaches:
- Making stitches in your tissue;
- Closing off your vaginal canal;
- Attaching the top of your vagina to a strong ligament in your pelvis;
Robotic Assisted Surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Sacrocolpopexy is a surgical procedure that repairs pelvic organ prolapse. During the procedure, a surgeon uses surgical mesh to lift the organs back into place;
- Non-mesh vaginal prolapse surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat pelvic organ prolapse without the use of synthetic mesh. This is often preferred by many patients due to concerns about mesh-related complications that have been reported in the past.
Rely on your care team to discuss your options and recommend the best technique.
Treating Surgical Mesh Complications
Let us know if you’ve had health problems after surgical placement of a mesh sling. Concord Hospital Urologic Institute surgeons may be able to relieve your pain, repair your pelvic organs, and prevent more damage.
Fistula Surgery
To close a fistula and prevent leaks of urine or stool, a surgeon will use one of these techniques:
- Removing the fistula and repairing the surrounding tissue;
- Cutting the fistula so it heals as a flat scar;
- Using surgical threads to drain the fistula;
- Covering the fistula with a flap of tissue.
The best option for you depends on your anatomy and type of fistula.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
For any urogynecologic procedure, your surgeon will take the least invasive approach possible. That might mean:
- Making only small incisions;
- Entering through the vagina, avoiding an incision;
- Using the da Vinci Surgical System, robotic arms move more precisely and steadily than human hands.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Compared to surgery that uses a long incision, less invasive options:
- Shorten your hospital stay;
- Reduce scarring;
- Let you recover sooner.
Well-Rounded Care
Coordinated care helps you achieve your best overall health. That’s why our urogynecologists work closely with other specialists you may need to see. Your care team could include experts in:
