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.

Practicing in one of the nation's leading medical and research facilities, our urologists (specialists in the urinary tract) are recognized as international experts in reconstructive urology. UT Southwestern urologists were the first in North Texas to use the newest generation surgical robot, the dual-console DaVinci Surgical System, which enables us to perform minimally invasive surgeries with even greater precision.

Conditions We Treat with Reconstructive Urology

At UT Southwestern, we treat many areas with reconstructive urology, including the

• 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

Reconstructive urology surgery can help patients with conditions such as

• 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

Our team includes experts in treating both women and men with all types of conditions, and injuries affecting the urinary tract and reproductive organs. For several conditions, we have the most experience in the region with surgical procedures that

• Remove scar tissue and reconstruct the urethra to repair urethral strictures
• Correct severe penile deformities and restore a natural appearance in men with Peyronie's disease
• Implant an inflatable penile prosthesis to treat erectile dysfunction
• Implant an artificial urinary sphincter to prevent urine leakage, to treat urinary incontinence

Our additional surgical procedures in reconstructive urology include

• Vaginal surgery for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
• Buccal mucosa grafting (grafting skin from the inner lining of the cheek) in complex female genital reconstruction for certain intersex states (people born with a combination of male and female biological characteristics, such as chromosomes or genitals)
• Penile surgery to repair hypospadias, a birth defect in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the penis rather than the tip
• Fistula repair to close an opening between the bladder and another organ
• Surgery to repair traumatic injuries to the bladder, kidneys, penis, or testicles
• Urinary diversion to create another opening for urine to drain from the body, in cases of bladder problems