Are You a Woman Suffering from a Pelvic Disorder?

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

It is estimated that nearly 50 percent of all women between the ages of 50 and 79 have some form of prolapse. Are you or a loved one experiencing pelvic organ prolapse? If so, learn how to treat the condition by attending a free lecture at Silver Cross Hospital.

Free Lecture: Girl Talk: Pelvic Disorders

Join Dr. Nahla Merhi, urogynecologist, and physical therapists with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to learn why vaginal prolapse and incontinence is more common than you might think. At this special Girl Talk: Pelvic Disorders, attendees will hear expert advice about pelvic floor disorder signs, symptoms, and treatment options including robotic surgery with one tiny incision through the belly button. Get answers to the questions you have been wondering about but never asked. Register to attend this free Girl Talk: Pelvic Disorders program at http://IMatter.silvercross.org or by calling 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

[ Sponsored Feature by Silver Cross Hospital ]

Pelvic organ prolapse is a medical condition that occurs when the normal support of the vagina is lost, resulting in “sagging” or dropping of the bladder, urethra, cervix and rectum. As the prolapse of the vagina and uterus progresses, women can feel bulging tissue protruding through the opening of the vagina.

“Prolapse is not life threatening but it can be uncomfortable and sometimes makes it hard for women to empty their bladders normally or even exercise,” said urogynecologist, Nahla Merhi, M.D., who is Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Gynecology at Silver Cross Hospital.

Risk Factors

Some women are born with weaker tissues and are therefore at risk to develop prolapse.

Others encounter a loss of pelvic support when a part of their pelvic floor is injured during vaginal delivery, surgery, pelvic radiation or back and pelvic fractures during falls or motor vehicle accidents. Also, hysterectomy and other procedures done to treat pelvic organ prolapse are associated with future development of prolapse. Further other conditions that promote prolapse include: obesity, constipation and chronic straining, smoking, chronic coughing and heavy lifting.

There are many treatment options available. For most women, the treatment they choose depends on how much they are bothered by their symptoms. Many conservative treatment options are available including pelvic floor rehabilitation. Finally, some women are bothered by their pelvic organ prolapse enough to consider surgery. “Only you and your doctor can determine what treatment option is best for you. But if surgery is your best option, women should consider da Vinci robotic surgery,” said Dr. Merhi. “da Vinci surgery offers women many potential benefits over traditional open surgery, including: less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and low rate of complications,” said Dr. Merhi. “The benefits are remarkable!”

How does Robotic Surgery Work?

Controlled by a surgeon from a console, the innovative da Vinci robot is used to make 8mm (`1/3 inch) to 12 mm (~ 1/2 inch) incisions and then long, delicate instruments are inserted into the patient that enable specially trained physicians to perform the surgery.

Interestingly, misconceptions still exist that the robot is actually performing the surgery all by itself. “The important aspect to understand is that the da Vinci robotic system cannot be programmed nor can it make decisions by itself,” said Dr. Nahla Merhi. “The da Vinci System can only operate with direct input from the surgeon.”

The enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control of the da Vinci robot allows physicians to perform an excellent surgery even for women with complex cases.

About Dr. Nahla Merhi

Dr. Nahla Merhi, board certified in obstetrics/gynecology and urogynecology, completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Lutheran Medical Central in New York.

Dr. Merhi has special interest in treating urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse as well as training in using the da Vinci Surgical Systems to provide patients quicker and less invasive procedures. She has been treating urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse for more than 12 years. She has performed more than 400 robotic surgeries and more than 80 single site cases. To schedule an appointment, call her office at Suburban Gynecology at (815) 717-8727, located at Silver Cross Hospital, Pavilion A, Suite 375, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.

About the Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Silver Cross Hospital is a designated Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG) by the AAGL, the leading association of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons worldwide, and Surgical Review Corporation (SRC). In addition, four physicians on the Silver Cross Medical Staff also received COEMIG designation. These doctors are Francisco Garcini, M.D., Ph.D.; Nahla Merhi, M.D; Thomas Kazmierzcak, M.D.; and Peter Vienne, D.O. Silver Cross Hospital’s COEMIG program provides women with innovative, minimally invasive surgical treatment options for hysterectomies, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, prolapse, and other gynecologic conditions. Patients are cared for in a new 297-bed Hospital located at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. The Silver Cross Procedural Care Unit is equipped with 11 state-of-the-art surgical suites specially designed for minimally invasive procedures, private pre and post procedure patient rooms, and a spacious lounge for family and friends. Silver Cross also has a da Vinci robot, which is the most advanced robotic-assisted technology available today to perform gynecologic surgical procedures.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With nearly 4,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital in 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.