Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/381643
R ECOGNIZING THESE CHALLENGES, WellSpan Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery combines leading-edge care with a compassionate environment in which to diagnose and treat pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, overactive bladder, fecal incontinence and other conditions. Furthermore, with specialists who are fellowship-trained in Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, the practice provides a level of expertise that is unique in Adams and York counties, making it the region's destination of choice for women with urogynecologic disorders. Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are the most frequent pelvic floor issues for which physicians refer patients, according to Dominique El-Khawand, MD, FACOG, Director of WellSpan Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, and Carlos Roberts, MD, FACOG, Director of Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at WellSpan York Hospital and a urogynecologist at WellSpan Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery. The physicians' training spans the full spectrum of techniques and surgical options for pelvic floor disorders, including vaginal surgery, midurethral slings, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, sacral neuromodula- tion and intravesical Botox, among others. WellSpan Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery also provides in-office procedures including cystoscopy, urodynamic studies and anorectal manometry testing. Improving Quality of Life Urinary incontinence significantly reduces patients' ability to enjoy life, Dr. Roberts notes. "It prevents a lot of women from engaging in regular daily activities," he says. "It is not uncommon for patients to have stopped participating in events outside the home, such as attending church or going out to dinner, for fear of having a urinary accident." WellSpan Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery's comprehensive treatments and surgical procedures restore quality of life to those patients. For example, a Medtronic-sponsored, five-year, multicenter study of patients who underwent sacral neuromodulation found that more than 70 percent of urge-incontinent patients who had reported heavy leaks experienced a 50 percent or greater reduction in heavy leaks per day. "No woman should suffer because she has urinary incontinence or any pelvic floor disorder," Dr. El-Khawand says. "There are effective treatment options." Supportive Environment Dr. El-Khawand and Dr. Roberts recognize that to avail women of those options, it is vital to first help them overcome the embarrassment associated with urinary incontinence and other conditions. WellSpan Urogynecology & Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery places a high priority on creating a supportive atmosphere in which patients feel comfortable discussing their conditions and the numerous treatments available. For example, Dr. Roberts sensitively and proactively raises issues such as urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse because patients are often reluctant to do so. "They may simply ignore their condition because there are issues of shame associated with it or they do not realize there are treatment options," he says. "I reassure them and let them know this is a condition many women have and one we can successfully address." Partnering with referring physicians completes the seamless circle of care, Dr. El-Khawand notes. "We welcome referrals," he says. "We provide the latest available treatments and surgical procedures, and then we refer patients back to their providers." F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t www.WellSpan.org/Urogyn. ■ Urogynecologic Treatments APPROXIMATELY 25 MILLION U.S. ADULTS — THE MAJORITY OF THEM WOMEN — SUFFER FROM URINARY INCONTINENCE. MANY WOMEN DO NOT SEEK TREATMENT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE THEY ARE EMBARRASSED BY THEIR CONDITION OR UNAWARE THAT THERE ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS. By Sue Luse with Compassion and Sensitivity Uniting Expert ++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ + +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++ UROGYNECOLOGY