Problems with your urinary tract can be painful, embarrassing and disruptive. Sometimes surgery is the best option for treating your condition.
Reconstructive urology focuses on repairing and restoring the normal function of your urinary system and genitals.
Reasons you might need to see a reconstructive urologist include:
- Radiation therapy: You had radiation therapy for cancer in your pelvis. Maybe you have a painful, overactive bladder, problematic scar tissue of the urinary system or a fistula.
- Incontinence: You have urinary leakage that isn’t getting better.
- Infection: You have or had an infection in your genitals that has caused functional or cosmetic issues.
- Trauma: You had a pelvic fracture or other trauma to the pelvis that is causing urinary or genital problems.
- Genes: You were born with a bladder or genital issue that you want to have surgically corrected.
- Side effects: You had a prior surgery with complications affecting your urinary tract or genitals.
Rush reconstructive urologists work with men and women in and around Chicago every day. Our goal is to understand your needs and create a personalized treatment plan.
What conditions can reconstructive urology treat?
Reconstructive urology can treat a wide range of issues, including:
- Congenital abnormalities, such as hypospadias
- Problems caused by prior surgeries, radiation or trauma
- Buried or concealed penis
- Severe scrotal or penile swelling
- Incontinence
- Erectile dysfunction that doesn’t respond to medication
- Urologic fistulas, such as pubic bone, bladder or urethral fistulas
- Neurogenic bladder (a poorly functioning bladder caused by spinal cord injury or a condition such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy or other neurologic conditions)
- Strictures, narrowing and scarring of the bladder or urethra
- Peyronie’s disease, or curvature of the penis
- Urethral or uretal obstructions
Meet our reconstructive urology surgeons
What procedures and treatments are available at Rush?
Rush offers many procedures and treatments, including urinary tract reconstruction and urologic trauma repair. Our experts can restore, reroute or reconstruct the upper and lower urinary tract, as well as the external genitals.
Common procedures include:
- Urethroplasty
- Ureteral reconstruction
- Bladder reconstruction, bladder removal and urinary diversion
- Artificial urinary sphincter and sling procedure
- External genital plastics and reconstruction
- Gender affirming genital surgery
What should I expect during an appointment?
A Rush reconstructive urologist will review your prior diagnosis and any procedures you have had previously. They will make sure you understand your diagnosis, as well as what procedures could be helpful in improving your urinary function, restoring normal anatomy and increasing your quality of life.
We want you to be comfortable talking to your surgeon and to have a clear understanding of your treatment plan.
As part of your treatment plan, your surgeon will walk you through the surgical techniques that will be used. They might include skin grafts, robotic urology surgery or using tissue from other parts of your body.
You will also know what to expect during recovery, including how long you’ll be in the hospital and when you can return to work.
You will discuss follow-up care. Expect us to schedule appointments after your surgery to make sure everything went exactly as you expected.
Choosing Rush for Reconstructive Urology
- Top of our class: U.S. News & World Report ranked Rush University Medical Center among the best in the nation for urology care. Beyond just treating your condition, Rush urology specialists are dedicated to personalized care that focuses on your quality of life.
- Surgical expertise: Minimally invasive surgical techniques typically result in a shorter hospital stay, less pain and a faster recovery compared to a traditional surgery. Rush surgeons are trained in these techniques, including using a a surgical robot, to give you the best options for treatment.
- Subspecialist care for complex issues: Our reconstructive urologist is fellowship trained and able to offer surgical options that may not be available through other providers.
- Clinical trials and research: When you get care from Rush, you may also have access to clinical trials that are looking into new treatments for urological disorders.
FAQs About Reconstructive Urology
Reconstructive urology is a medical specialty that aims to restore normal anatomy and function of the urinary tract. This includes internal body parts that make and move urine, as well as external genitals.
Rush surgeons work with men and women who have infections, trauma or other issues that have affected their urinary function.
Anyone who is having an issue that could be addressed with surgical repair of the urinary tract or genitals. We often work with people who had unsuccessful or complicated urologic surgeries in the past, as well as with people who are seeking a second opinion on the surgical options available to them. Rush also offers gender-affirming reconstructive surgery for adults.
Rush specialists often see patients for scar tissue in the urethra for urethroplasties. They also see patients for fistulas, or connections that form between two otherwise unconnected body parts. Rush specialists work often with patients who have had radiation for prostate cancer and have related problems such as urine leakage or erectile dysfunction.
It depends on your specific condition and the related procedure. We will work closely with you before your procedure so you know exactly what to expect.
Yes. Rush surgeons are experienced with suingsuing a a surgical robot, allowing them to work with precision and provide you with a shorter recovery time.
You can schedule online with our urologists through their profiles or you can call us at (888) 352-7874.
