Dr. Sean Elliott, MD
Reconstructive Urologist
Surgeries
4
4
3
3
3
2
2
7
2
1
2
7
7
5
5
Number of times Dr. Elliott has performed each surgery as of July 1, 2024
Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS)
The AUS is a hydraulically-operated device that circumferentially squeezes the urethra. A doughnut-shaped silicon “cuff” squeezes the urethra and a pump (implanted below the skin in the scrotum) controls the opening of the cuff. The AUS works well for all degrees of incontinence. Dr. Elliott is among the top 1% of American urologists for this procedure.
Bladder Reconstruction for Neurogenic Bladder
Many neurologic diseases (like spinal cord injury or spina bifida) cause bladder dysfunction. Bladder reconstruction surgery can protect the kidneys from high pressures and can help people regain control of their urine so they don't leak. A bladder augmentation enlarges the bladder with a patch of intestine, lowering the bladder pressure and allowing someone to hold their urine to prevent leakage. A Mitrofanoff is a narrow piece of intestine between the bladder and the belly button (navel) through which you can pass a catheter to empty the bladder; this is especially helpful for people who want to be able to pee while still in their wheelchair.
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Mitrofanoff or Monti catheterizable channel
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Bladder augmentation by adding a patch of small intestine
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CCIC: Continent Catheterizable Ileal Cecocystoplasty
Cystectomy means bladder removal. A urinary diversion is how we get the urine to come out of the body after the bladder has been removed. Many surgeons remove the bladder for bladder cancer; but Dr. Elliott specializes in bladder removal for non-cancer reasons. When everything else has been tried and failed to make the bladder work correctly, a cystectomy and urinary diversion can provide great symptomatic relief. Examples could include a bladder that bleeds frequently or causes constant pain after radiation damage.
Urethroplasty
Urethroplasty is a plastic surgery reconstruction of the urethra. This is usually done for scar tissues of the urethra that have not been cured by stretching (dilation) of the scar tissue. Using a variety of fine surgical techniques, Dr. Elliott rebuilds the urethral tube to normal size so that you can pee without blockage. A less common reason to rebuild the urethra is for fistula. A fistula is an abnormal connection between the urethra and something else. A fistula can connect to the skin on the penis, causing leakage of urine (especially after hypospadias repair) or to the rectum, causing mixing of the stool and urine (after prostate cancer treatment). Dr. Elliott removes the fistula and closes up the hole, to restore normal urination.
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Panurethral stricture surgery (strictures that span the whole length of the urethra)
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For Strictures After Prostate Cancer Treatment
Fistula Repair
Fistula repair is a surgery to close a hole or connection between two body parts. In urology, this is usually a connection between the bladder or urethra and vagina, rectum or skin. The fistula leads to urine leakage or to bladder infections. Risk factors can include previous radiation or surgery on colon, rectum, bladder, or vagina. Diverticulitis or Crohn's disease can also cause these fistulas. Dr. Elliott repairs these fistulas by removing them, closing the openings on both ends (e.g., the bladder hole and the rectum hole) and then placing some healthy tissue in between the two organs so that the problem does not happen again.