Genitourinary Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the genitourinary tract is necessary when normal function of one or more of its components are impaired. One of the most common scenarios necessitating genitourinary reconstruction is tissue damage that occurs following cancer treatment, specifically surgical and radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

The field of reconstructive urology has emerged over the past two decades. With the leading-edge techniques now available, reconstructive urology offers today’s patients a greatly improved quality of life that had been difficult to achieve previously.

The Northwestern Medicine Department of Urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine continues to stand at the forefront of the field, with world-class reconstructive surgeons offering leading-edge treatments. As the specialty of urethral reconstruction continues to advance, we continue to focus on holistic treatment for every patient.

Patient Care 

For patients who have undergone treatment for bladder cancer or other urologic conditions, reconstruction of the genitourinary tract is often an essential step toward restoring function, comfort, and quality of life. At Northwestern’s Polsky Urologic Cancer Institute, our world-class reconstructive urologists specialize in addressing the full spectrum of complications that can arise after surgery or radiation, from urinary diversion complications to complex soft tissue repairs. Using the latest minimally invasive and robotic techniques, our team is committed to offering every patient a personalized path to long-term recovery. To help patients better understand some of the most common reconstructive challenges they may face, we are pleased to share the following educational resources developed in partnership with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN), featuring Northwestern’s own Ziho Lee, MD, Chief of Trauma and Reconstructive Urology and Assistant Professor of Urology. 

Webinar 1 — When the Urine Flow Slows: Understanding Ureteroenteric Stricture Disease

Patients who have undergone a urinary diversion, such as an ileal conduit, may develop a complication called ureteroenteric stricture disease — scar tissue that forms where the ureter connects to the diversion, potentially blocking urine flow and impairing kidney function. In this BCAN webinar, Dr. Ziho Lee explains how this condition develops, how it is diagnosed, and the minimally invasive robotic reconstruction techniques he and his team have pioneered at Northwestern to offer patients a durable, long-term solution.

Webinar 2 — Living with a Stoma: Understanding and Managing Parastomal Hernias

 For bladder cancer patients living with a stoma following radical cystectomy, parastomal hernias — a bulging of tissue around the stoma site — are a common long-term complication that can affect comfort, stoma management, and overall quality of life. In this BCAN webinar, Dr. Ziho Lee, Director of the Reconstructive Urology Fellowship at Northwestern, walks through what parastomal hernias are, when treatment is needed, and the innovative robotic repair techniques he has developed to help patients return to active, fulfilling lives with minimal recovery time.