Urogynecologists treat women with pelvic floor disorders, either through lifestyle and behavioral adjustments, medications or reconstructive pelvic surgery. CU Anschutz Urogynecology focuses on the area of reconstructive surgery of pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence. We do not generally perform other gynecologic treatments.
With specialized training and board certification, our physicians are experts in the narrowly focused art of urogynecologic surgeries. Our experience in the operating room reconstructing women’s pelvic floor disorders involves intricate knowledge of the ligaments, muscles, nerves and connective tissues that comprise the uterus, vagina, rectum and bladder organs.
We perform all of our surgeries with one of the following methods:
Surgery is more successful in women who can avoid constipation after the procedure, don’t smoke or do not plan to be pregnant in the future. Most patients can anticipate a rapid recovery and return to normal activities after pelvic floor surgery.
For more information on recovery practices after specific surgeries, visit our Surgery & Recovery Handouts page.
Below are specific urogynecologic surgeries we perform. Where appropriate, we have included links to pages with more detailed information.
Native tissue repair, or natural tissue repair, involves reconstructing a woman’s natural support tissue to repair damaged structures causing pelvic floor disorders. These surgeries are typically minimally invasive and involve making very small incisions in the vagina or in the abdomen.
Native tissue repair treats pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse, leakage of urine and bowel problems. The specific type of surgery performed depends upon the tissue needing repair and/or tightening, as well as an individual patient’s health and needs. All surgeries are performed under a regional (spin) or general anesthetic using sutures that dissolve.
Common tissue repair surgeries include the following.
Vaginal vault prolapse occurs when the small bowels press against and move the upper wall of the vagina. This surgery is designed to repair or prevent vaginal prolapse. Vaginal vault suspension restores support to the uterus, or to the vaginal vault, which is the top of the vagina in a woman who has had her uterus removed in a hysterectomy. The following are types of vaginal vault suspensions:
In addition to common prolapse repairs, some patients may need less frequent procedures for advanced pelvic conditions. Both surgeries aim to restore comfort and improve quality of life when other treatments are not effective.
Depending on the incontinence symptoms a woman faces, a range of surgical options can provide long-term solutions. Prior to any incontinence procedures it is important to get an accurate diagnosis, consider if you are planning to have future children and understand surgery options.
Common incontinence procedures include the following.
To confirm an incontinence diagnosis, the urogynecologist might perform one of the following procedures.
