Reconstructive Urology (VVF, Urethroplasty, Ureteric reimplantation)
Reconstructive surgery deals with repairing parts of the body affected by defects you were born with, defects that have developed because of disease, or defects caused by an injury. Reconstructive urology is surgery to restore normal function by repairing, rerouting, or recreating areas of the upper and lower urinary tract and some reproductive organs. Patients might need reconstructive urology because of injuries, birth defects, medical conditions, or complications from surgery or other treatment.
Conditions that can be treated by Dr. G. Sarath Babu with Reconstructive Urology:
- Kidneys
- Ureters (tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder)
- Bladder
- Urethra (tube leading from the bladder to outside the body)
- Vagina
- Penis
- Testicles
- Prostate gland
What is Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF)?
A vesicovaginal fistula is an abnormal opening that forms between the bladder and the wall of the vagina. A fistula can be a complication after vaginal or bladder surgery. The only way to repair this opening is through surgery, which is very often successful.
What causes a vesicovaginal fistula?
Vesicovaginal fistulas are often a complication after surgery to treat problems in the bladder or vagina. They also can be linked to gynecological cancer, either from the disease or sometimes as a side effect of radiation therapy or surgery to treat the cancer. Particularly bad or repeat urinary tract infections can sometimes lead to fistulas too, but this is rare.
What is the urethroplasty?
The urethra is a tube that carries urine from your urinary bladder to the outside of your body. Urethroplasty is surgery performed on your urethra, a part of your urinary system.
Why is a urethroplasty done?
Urethroplasty is done to repair or replace your urethra when scar tissue forms inside it. Your surgeon connects two ends of your urethra after cutting out the scar tissue, or may borrow tissue elsewhere in your body to rebuild the portion of your urethra that’s blocked.
What is Ureteral Reimplantation Surgery?
Ureteral reimplantation is a surgery to fix the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys. The surgery changes the position of the tubes at the point where they join the bladder to stop urine from backing up into the kidneys.
Reconstructive urology surgery can help patients with conditions like:
- Birth defects in the urinary tract or reproductive organs
- Bladder fistulas (abnormal openings or connections between the bladder and nearby organs, such as the vagina or rectum)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Peyronie's disease
- Traumatic injuries to the urinary tract or reproductive organs
- Urethral stricture (scar tissue in the urethra that causes narrowing)
- Urinary incontinence
- Treatment for Reconstructive Urology