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Surgery for Pelvic Floor Disorders

For some pelvic floor disorders, surgery is the most appropriate and effective treatment. When you come to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you are in caring and capable hands. Our team includes nationally recognized experts who maintain excellent outcomes. This level of care gives you the best chances for long-term symptom relief.

Surgery for pelvic floor disorders: Why choose us?

We’re one of the few programs in the Puget Sound region with experts who have advanced fellowship training in treating pelvic floor disorders. With backgrounds in urogynecology, urology, gastroenterology, colorectal surgery and reconstructive pelvic surgery, our specialists collaborate to deliver seamless, effective care, even for difficult-to-manage conditions. Meet our team.

Highlights of our program include:

  • Advanced options: We offer every available surgery, including sophisticated options requiring complex technical skills. Areas of expertise include rectovaginal fistula repair and procedures to address complications from surgical mesh. We also excel in gold-standard surgeries, such as sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse.

  • Innovation and research: Our doctors are at the forefront of pelvic floor care. They lead research making reconstructive pelvic surgery more efficient and patient-centered. You may be eligible to participate in these efforts through clinical trials exploring new treatments. 

  • Conservative approach: We help many patients feel better using nonsurgical pelvic floor treatments, such as physical therapy and medication. Experts recommend surgery only if conservative treatments aren’t successful and we’re confident you’ll benefit. 

  • Leadership: We’re training the next generation of experts through a urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery fellowship. Only programs such as ours that consistently treat complex cases and achieve excellent results maintain this honor. These efforts also extend the reach of our research activities.

Types of reconstructive pelvic surgery we offer

  • We offer a broad range of procedures to relieve chronic incontinence. Some patients achieve excellent outcomes with nonsurgical or minimally invasive procedures. In other cases, surgery to relieve pressure on organs or implant a sacral neuromodulator (a pacemaker-like device) is necessary. Find out more about incontinence procedures and surgery.

  • Rectal and pelvic prolapse repair restores the positioning of pelvic organs that have shifted out of place. We use the latest evidence-based methods to help more people get relief from symptoms such as pain, pressure and incontinence. Learn more about rectal and pelvic organ prolapse surgery.

  • Fistulas are rare, but our highly skilled team has vast experience in treating them. Our surgeons use the latest methods to seal unnatural openings between organs and repair damaged tissue. Get more information about genitourinary and rectovaginal fistula repair procedures.

  • Neuromodulation for incontinence involves implanting a small, programmable device in your lower back. It sends a gentle electrical current to nerves that regulate bladder and bowel control, which improves function. Our skill and exceptional safety record have earned some locations center of excellence designation from a leading bladder and bowel care company.

  • Surgeons deliver treatment directly to the inside of the bladder or urethra using cystoscopy. Usually an in-office procedure, it’s sometimes necessary to perform cystoscopy under sedation or anesthesia to ensure greater precision. Treatment may include steroids to relieve inflammation or injections of botulinum toxin or bulking agents for incontinence.

  • Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is one of the few programs in the Puget Sound region with expertise in treating complications of previous pelvic floor surgeries. Complications are frequently due to surgical mesh from incontinence and prolapse procedures. Revision surgery may involve removing or adjusting the mesh and repairing damaged tissue.

Contact us

Our multidisciplinary team cares for patients across the Puget Sound area and beyond. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

Our pelvic floor specialists