Institute of Urology
The Institute of Urology is part of the Department of Surgery, where experienced surgeons provide advanced treatment options, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Reconstructive Urologic Surgery
Surgical care to restore urinary and reproductive function
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Reconstructive Urology at Lahey Clinic
Reconstructive urologic surgery helps restore urinary and reproductive function after injury, illness, or cancer treatment. At Lahey Clinic, specialists create personalized treatment plans using advanced surgical techniques.
Care is provided by experienced urology specialists who focus on restoring comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
What Is Reconstructive Urology?
Reconstructive urology is a specialized area of medicine focused on repairing and rebuilding parts of the urinary tract and male reproductive system that have been damaged, blocked, or are not working properly. These problems can result from injury, infection, cancer treatment, prior surgery, or conditions that someone is born with.
A reconstructive urologist — also called a urologic reconstructive surgeon — has advanced, specialized training beyond general urology. These surgeons are experts in complex procedures that restore normal function and improve quality of life. This type of care is sometimes referred to as urologic plastic and reconstructive surgery, because it combines the precision of plastic surgery techniques with a deep knowledge of the urinary and reproductive systems.
Reconstructive urologists treat a wide range of conditions, including urethral strictures (narrowing of the urethra that blocks urine flow), injuries to the bladder or genitals, complications from previous surgeries, and issues affecting sexual function. Treatment may involve minimally invasive procedures or more complex surgeries that use the body's own tissue to rebuild and repair damaged areas.
The goal of reconstructive urology is not just to fix a problem — it is to help patients regain normal function, reduce pain or discomfort, and improve their overall quality of life.
More About Reconstructive Urologic Surgery
Reconstructive Urology Services
Urethral Stricture Disease
- Hypospadias
- Trauma/Pelvic Fracture
- Lichen sclerosus
- Radiation injury
Prostate Cancer Complications
- Rectourethral fistulas
- Bladder neck contractures
- Male post-prostatectomy and post-radiation incontinence (Artificial Urinary Sphincters & Male Slings)
Ureteral Stricture Reconstruction
- Robotic and open repair
- Pyeloplasty
Complex Genital Reconstruction
- Peyronie’s disease
- Genital lymphedema
- Concealed (hidden) penis
- Traumatic injury
Gender-Affirmation Surgery (in conjunction with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division)
- Feminizing surgery (vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty)
- Masculinizing surgery (phalloplasty, metoidioplasty)
- Orchiectomy
- Penile and testicular prosthesis
- Revision genital surgery
Reconstructive Urology Procedures
A wide range of reconstructive urology procedures is available, including:
Urethral Stricture Procedures
- Urethral dilation
- Optilume dilation
- Direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU)
- Urethroplasty — excision and primary anastomosis
- Buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty
- Staged urethral reconstruction
- Redo urethroplasty
Bladder Neck Contracture Procedures
- Bladder neck dilation
- Endoscopic incision or resection of the contracture
- Open or robotic bladder neck reconstruction
Peyronie's Disease Procedures
- Tunical plication
- Plaque incision or excision with grafting
- Penile prosthesis surgery (for Peyronie's with erectile dysfunction)
Male Stress Urinary Incontinence Procedures
- AdVance™ male sling surgery
- Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation
- AUS revision surgery
Penile Implant / Prosthetic Urology Procedures
- Inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation
- Malleable (semi-rigid) penile prosthesis implantation
- Penile prosthesis revision surgery
- Salvage penile prosthesis procedures
Buried Penis Procedures
- Release of penile skin and scar tissue
- Escutcheonectomy (removal of excess suprapubic fat or skin)
- Penile skin resurfacing or grafting
Urinary Fistula Repair
- Transperineal rectourethral fistula repair
- Transabdominal rectourethral fistula repair
- Pubosymphyseal fistula repair
- Bladder neck reconstruction
- Interposition tissue flap surgery
- Staged fistula reconstruction
- Management of pubic bone osteomyelitis
Hypospadias Repair
- Primary hypospadias repair (urethral reconstruction, chordee correction)
- Revision hypospadias surgery
- Urethrocutaneous fistula closure
- Redo urethroplasty with grafting or flap techniques
- Staged hypospadias reconstruction
Ureteral Stricture Procedures
- Ureteroureterostomy (direct reconnection)
- Ureteral reimplantation (with or without psoas hitch or Boari flap)
- Buccal mucosa graft ureteroplasty
- Robotic ureteral reconstruction
About Our Center
The Center for Reconstructive Urologic Surgery was founded in 1973 by the late Dr. Leonard Zinman, a pioneer who helped develop many of the reconstructive techniques still used in urological surgery today.
The center serves patients from across the region, country, and around the world. It is one of the busiest reconstructive urology centers in the world, offering advanced urologic care alongside original research aimed at improving surgical techniques and patient outcomes. The center specializes in both minimally invasive procedures and complex tissue transfer surgeries to treat difficult conditions of the urethra and genitourinary system.
Our surgeons have completed specialized fellowship training in reconstructive urology and perform more reconstructive procedures than any other program in New England — over 500 complex cases per year, including approximately 200 urethral reconstructions annually.
The center is also home to New England's only Genitourinary Reconstructive Urologic Surgery Fellowship. This one-year, hands-on training program prepares surgeons to treat a wide range of complex conditions, including urethral reconstruction, ureteral stricture, bladder reconstruction, urinary diversion, hypospadias, rectourethral fistula repair, buried penis repair, Peyronie's disease, genital lymphedema, penile and urethral cancer surgery, and genitourinary prosthetic procedures such as artificial urinary sphincters, male slings, and inflatable penile prostheses.
Our team members are recognized experts within the American Urological Association. We regularly speak at national and international conferences and have published a large number of journal articles, abstracts, and book chapters on urologic reconstruction. Dr. Vanni is also a member of the Trauma and Urologic Research Network of Surgeons (TURNS). Lahey Clinic is one of only 22 centers nationwide that work together to study and improve care for patients with conditions such as urethral strictures, male incontinence, and other reconstructive urology conditions.
Urology Education & Training
Urology Residency
Lahey's Urology Residency provides hands-on training in all areas of adult urology. Residents work closely with faculty to build surgical skills, clinical judgment, and compassionate patient care.
Reconstructive Urologic Surgery Fellowship
The Reconstructive Urologic Surgery Fellowship at Lahey Clinic offers advanced training in complex urologic conditions, including urethral reconstruction, male incontinence, and prosthetic surgery.
Meet the Team
The team of surgeons at Lahey's Center for Reconstructive Surgery includes:
