Serving New England Patients

Why Patients Travel to Lahey for Reconstructive Urology

Reconstructive urologic surgery is concentrated at a small number of high-volume centers in the country. Most general urologists do not perform these procedures in significant numbers, and the literature consistently shows that surgeon volume is one of the strongest predictors of long-term outcomes. Dr. Vanni's practice performs about 500 reconstructions each year and is a regional and national referral destination.

Procedures Dr. Vanni Performs

• ›Urethroplasty for urethral stricture
• ›Lichen sclerosus reconstruction
• ›Bladder neck contracture repair
• ›Peyronie's disease surgery
• ›Inflatable penile prosthesis
• ›Artificial urinary sphincter & male sling
• ›Urinary fistula repair
• ›Complex ureteral reconstruction
• ›Adult buried penis repair
• ›Adult hypospadias repair

New England referrals come from urologists, primary care physicians, oncologists (particularly after prostate cancer treatment or pelvic radiation), and from patients who self-refer for a second opinion.

Conditions Commonly Referred From New England

The following are the conditions most commonly referred to Dr. Vanni from urologists across New England. Click any condition to learn more about diagnosis, surgical options, and what to expect.

How the Referral Process Works

Most patients are referred by their local urologist after one or more failed prior treatments — endoscopic dilations or urethrotomy for stricture, prior failed urethroplasty, recurrent bladder neck contracture, failed sling or AUS, or after a complication from another procedure. Self-referrals are also accepted; you do not need a referring physician for most commercial insurance plans, though some plans require an in-network referral.

1. Initial contact. Call Dr. Vanni's office at (781) 744-8762 or have your referring physician contact the office directly. Most new-patient evaluations are scheduled within 2-6 weeks depending on urgency.
2. Records and imaging review. Send prior operative reports, imaging (cystograms, RUGs, MRIs, CTs), uroflow data, and clinic notes. CD-ROM, fax, or Epic CareEverywhere are all accepted.
3. Initial consultation. Either in person at Lahey or by telehealth for distant patients. Many out-of-state patients do their first visit by video and travel to Burlington only for the surgical date.
4. Surgical planning. Dr. Vanni reviews your records, performs any needed in-office studies (cystoscopy, uroflow, post-void residual), and discusses surgical options. Many patients receive a written letter to their referring physician.
5. Surgery and follow-up. Most procedures involve a 1-2 night hospital stay. Long-distance patients can often have follow-up imaging done locally and forwarded to Dr. Vanni's office.

When Local Urologists Refer Complex Cases

Reconstructive urology fellowship-trained surgeons are concentrated at a small number of academic centers. New England referring physicians most commonly send cases to Dr. Vanni when:

• A patient has had two or more prior endoscopic procedures for urethral stricture and the stricture has returned.
• A patient has had a prior failed urethroplasty and needs redo reconstruction.
• A patient developed a rectourethral fistula after prostate cancer treatment or pelvic surgery.
• A patient with prior pelvic radiation needs reconstruction (urethroplasty, AUS, fistula repair) where tissue quality is poor.
• A patient with prior artificial urinary sphincter or inflatable penile prosthesis needs revision, removal, or replacement.
• A patient has lichen sclerosus with pan-urethral involvement requiring staged buccal mucosa reconstruction.
• A patient has complex Peyronie's disease — severe curvature, hourglass deformity, or combined ED requiring concurrent IPP placement.
• A patient has a long-segment ureteral stricture that is not amenable to standard ureteroureterostomy.

Travel Logistics to Lahey Hospital

Address: Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805

Lahey is located in Burlington, Massachusetts — a Boston suburb about 20 minutes northwest of downtown Boston by car. The hospital has on-site parking, a connected hotel-style lodging option for traveling patients (the Lahey Inn), and is approximately 30 minutes from Logan International Airport (BOS).

Distances from major New England cities (non-rush-hour estimates):

• Providence, RI — about 1 hour via I-95 / I-93
• Manchester, NH — about 1 hour via I-93 / I-95
• Hartford, CT — about 1.5 hours via I-84 / I-90
• Portland, ME — about 2 hours via I-95 / I-495
• Burlington, VT — about 3.5 hours via I-89 / I-93 (note: this is Burlington, Vermont, not Burlington, MA where Lahey is located)

Allow additional time for weekday morning and evening drives through the Boston metro area. The Lahey office can recommend hotels within 5 minutes of the hospital with patient rates.

Information for Referring Physicians

Dr. Vanni welcomes referrals from urologists, oncologists, primary care physicians, and colorectal surgeons across New England. To streamline a referral:

• Direct line: (781) 744-8762 — ask for Dr. Vanni's office. The office staff coordinate scheduling and records transfer.
• Records to send: Most recent imaging (cystogram, RUG/VCUG, MRI/CT), prior operative reports, uroflow/PVR data if performed, recent clinic notes, and current medication list. Epic CareEverywhere is supported.
• Urgent referrals: Acute urinary retention, suspected urinary fistula, post-operative complications, or sphincter/prosthesis infection — the office prioritizes these for prompt evaluation.
• Telehealth consultations are available for initial evaluation of out-of-state patients, particularly useful for second-opinion consultations on complex cases.
• Long-distance follow-up: Routine post-operative imaging (cystogram, RUG, uroflow, PVR) can be performed by the referring physician and forwarded to Dr. Vanni's office. The office sends a written summary back to every referring physician.

Dr. Vanni is also a frequent speaker at regional urology meetings and is available for case discussion with referring colleagues. View academic publications & research →