The mission of the urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery
rotation is threefold:
- To familiarize the resident with the diagnosis and management of common disorders of the lower urinary tract.
- To introduce residents to various surgical procedures used to treat urinary and fecal incontinence as well as pelvic floor prolapse.
- To deliver the best care possible to our patients.
The accomplishment of these goals will require the vigilance of the residents, not only to be at the appointed place at the appointed time, but to have read and digested material from independent study. It will also require the organizational skills to ensure that clinics run smoothly and the operative schedule remains full. The urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery service consists of a senior resident supported by a third-year resident in the weekly clinics. The following guidelines pertain primarily to the senior resident assigned to the service.
Didactic Preparation
Unlike any other service in the department, there is very little structured preparation for the urogynecology/reconstructive pelvic surgery block to date. In contrast to this service, residents have an intimate association with general gynecology and obstetrics from the time of internship onward. In depth exposure to gynecologic oncology occurs in the second year, and all are covered in monthly patient management conferences. Even topics in reproductive endocrinology are discussed on a weekly basis at noon conferences. For this reason, if the resident is to have any degree of autonomy or be anything other than an observer, a program of reading and independent study must be well underway by the beginning of the rotation. Showing up in the OR and not understanding precisely why a given procedure is being performed, or attending clinic without understanding the common urologic diagnoses and how they are detected are things which are simply unacceptable.
Clinics
When assigned to Urogynecology, the resident attends clinics, performs urodynamic procedures, and attends surgery with Dr. Hebert. Experience in Urogynecology is also obtained in general gynecology, particularly in the rotation at Huey P Long, in Pineville, LA.
