DEPARTMENT OF UROGYNECOLOGY AND PELVIC FLOOR RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
What is Urogynecology?
Urogynecology is a subspecialty within Gynecology that focuses on disorders that relate to the urogenital system in women across all age groups, such as urinary incontinence, uterovaginal prolapse, recurrent urinary tract infections and bladder pain syndrome.
Moreover, Urogynecology deals with pelvic floor disorders due to pregnancy and childbirth trauma (mainly as a result of vaginal delivery) like pelvic organ prolapse, voiding dysfunction and obstructive defecation, anal sphincter defects and sexual dysfunction.
Although such conditions are not life threatening, they severely affect women’s health and have a disturbing impact on their personal, professional and social quality of life by limiting their day-to-day activities.
What is Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery?
Often the initial management of symptoms caused by pelvic floor disorders is a conservative one, consisting of lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, pelvic floor muscle training, trial of medications, and a combination of the above.
However, in cases where the initial symptoms are severe enough or persistent following conservative treatment, surgical reconstruction is required. Pelvic floor surgery refers to a wide spectrum of minimally invasive techniques (transvaginal, laparoscopic and transurethral) employed by gynecological surgeons, who have special knowledge and skills to restore both the anatomy and function of the pelvic floor.
The Department of Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor Reconstructive Surgery is located in a designated area on the 2nd floor at REA Maternity Hospital. It is modernly equipped and staffed by Obstetricians – Gynecologists, who specialise in Urogynecology, as well as specialist nurses.
Investigations offered:
- clinical examination of the pelvic floor
- urine free-flow study
- urodynamics
- post-void residual measurement
- 2D ultrasonography of bladder and urethra
- 3D-4D pelvic floor ultrasonography
- pelvic floor MRI
- CT urography
- cystoscopy – urethroscopy
Available treatments:
- insertion of vaginal prolapse pessaries
- bladder instillations with anti-inflammatory agents
- transvaginal hysterectomy and colporrhaphy
- transvaginal suspension of the uterus and vaginal vault
- laparoscopic mesh uteropexy and colpopexy
- insertion of sub-urethral tension-free vaginal tape
- periurethral injections of bulking agents
- Botox injections into the bladder
- Laser vaginal rejuvenation
