Surgery Options
In some cases, surgery is the best treatment option, especially when other treatments are not helpful. Some surgical treatments can be performed as outpatient procedures.
Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS)
Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) stimulates the nerves that control rectal and bowel function. The therapy sends mild electrical pulses through a wire to the nerves near your tailbone and targets the communication problem between the brain and the nerves that control bowel function.
This therapy is FDA approved and it is effective in a majority of patients. One of the advantages with this treatment is that you can try a 1-2 weeks test period. The test phase establishes that the therapy works and gives you and the doctor an opportunity to evaluate if this is the best treatment for you. SNS requires two small surgeries, which can be done under local anesthesia.
Rectal prolapse repair
This is a surgical treatment. The prolapse can be repaired either with a rectal repair or with an abdominal repair. A rectal repair is a less involved surgery, but the risk for recurrence is higher. This surgical option is usually chosen for older patients. An Abdominal repair or rectopexy can be performed with robotic technique, and this method is usually chosen for younger and more fit patients.
Ventral rectopexy
Ventral rectopexy can help patients with fecal incontinence and elimination problems (difficulties emptying the rectum). This procedure involves pulling up the rectum into its normal anatomical position. A piece of mesh is stitched to the front of the rectum and is secured to the sacrum. This procedure is often minimally invasive using a laparoscopic or robotic technique.
Female Procedures
Vaginal reconstructive surgery
Reconstructive procedures involve techniques to restore the bladder, vagina, and rectum to their normal position and function. We use a number of surgical approaches to ensure a safe, long lasting repair with the shortest recovery time possible. Our team works with patients to select the best approach for each individual.
Male Procedures
Artificial sphincter surgery
Sphincters are muscles that allow your body to hold in urine and stool. An inflatable artificial (man-made) sphincter is a medical device that keeps urine/stool from leaking when your sphincter muscles no longer works well. When you need to empty the bladder (or the rectum), the cuff of the artificial sphincter can be relaxed so urine/stool can be released.
Urethroplasty (Urethra Reconstruction Surgery)
Urethroplasty is a surgical procedure for urethral reconstruction to treat urethral stricture (narrowing) . Urethroplasty can be performed by 2 methods; primary repair which involves complete removal of the narrowed part of the urethra. The closest and the furthest parts are then rejoined. The second method of Urethroplasty utilizes a tissue transfer or Buccal Mucosa Graft Surgery. In this method, tissue is grafted from bladder tissues, or buccal mucosa, and is used to enlarge the strictured (segment of the urethra).
UroLift
UroLift is a minimally invasive treatment for men who suffer urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or prostate enlargement). The UroLift system opens the prostatic urethra (the pipe which passes through the center of the prostate) thus relieving the obstruction. This system involves the insertion of small permanent implants which are inserted with the aid of a cystoscope or small camera. The implants work by pulling the lateral lobes of the prostate outwards creating a passage in the middle of an obstructed prostate.
Male sling procedure
The male sling procedure was developed to help men with urinary incontinence due to sphincter weakness or insufficiency in the setting of prior pelvic surgery. If incontinence is moderate or mild, this option can be used instead of the artificial urinary sphincter. The procedure itself entails placement of a synthetic mesh in the groin area to compress the urethra to alleviate the urinary leakage.
Green light laser surgery for prostate
Green light laser surgery for prostate is a minimally invasive procedure used for bigger prostates to remove the prostate tissue that blocks the flow of urine from the bladder. It uses a unique high power laser energy which is selectively absorbed by blood within the prostate tissue which leads to vaporization and removal of the tissue, leading to an open channel for passage of urine. At the same time, the laser seals blood vessels beneath the area of vaporization which results in substantially less bleeding. Compared to traditional transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), the green light laser has fewer side effects and quicker recovery time.
