The specialists with The Center for Pelvic Health develop customized treatment plans to correct pelvic floor problems. Treatment options may include dietary changes, medications, pelvic floor rehabilitation, bowel management procedures, minimally invasive procedures and surgical repair. Treatment options may require a combination of therapies based on the individual needs of the patient.
Non-Surgical Options
Surgery isn’t always the answer to pelvic floor problems. The Center for Pelvic Health offers non-invasive treatment options that can often treat incontinence without surgery.
Behavioral Modification
Often behavioral modifications, such as changing eating and drinking habits, losing weight, or adding or removing medications may be all that is required to restore function to the pelvic floor.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy and Biofeedback
Pelvic floor physical therapy uses pelvic exercises and bladder control techniques to help the patient improve muscle control and manage leaks. Biofeedback is often added to assist in retraining key muscles of the urethra, bladder, and rectum. Sensors attached to the body send signals to a computerized instrument that records the how well the muscles function. Specialists use the information to determine the appropriate exercises to help strengthen the muscles and possibly reverse or relieve symptoms.
Pessaries
Pessaries are plastic inserts which help support pelvic organs. When properly fitted, they should be comfortable and allow proper bladder and bowel function.
Surgical Options
For more serious conditions, The Center for Pelvic Health offers the full spectrum of care. The specialists treat extreme cases using the latest treatments and surgical procedures, from robotic surgery to treatments not available at other facilities.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
When surgery is required, specialists offer minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques that use small incisions, typically less than one inch long, to perform advanced surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopy uses a tube with a light and a camera lens at the end, a laparoscope, to examine organs and check for abnormalities. Laparoscopy is often used during surgery to look inside the body and avoid making large incisions. Tissue samples may also be taken for examination and testing. Compared with traditional surgery, laparoscopic procedures offer the advantages of a faster recovery with less pain and discomfort.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery offers a minimally invasive surgical option that allows pelvic floor operations to be performed through small incisions. Miniaturized tools and 3D cameras are inserted through the openings and controlled by the surgeon at a nearby console. Using a magnified view of the procedure, the surgeon controls the micro-movements of the robotic instruments, allowing for a greater range of motion and more precision.
The STARR Procedure
The Center for Pelvic Health is one of the only centers in the area to offer Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection or STARR, a new surgical technique for constipation. When thin or weak tissue causes the rectum to bulge into the vagina, it can interfere with normal bowel movements. The procedure straightens the rectum, allowing it to empty more efficiently without the sensation of a blockage.