Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD, Author at Grand Rounds in Urology

Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD

Keck Medicine of USC

Los Angeles, California

Larissa V. Rodríguez, MD, is Professor of Urology, Associate Provost for Faculty and Student Initiatives in Health and STEM, Director of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and Academics Director of the Female Pelvic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She earned her MD from Stanford University, and completed her internship and residency at Stanford Hospital. She then completed a Fellowship in Reconstructive & Female Urology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Rodríguez is nationally and internationally recognized for her work in the field of stem cell research and tissue engineering. An awarded researcher, Dr. Rodríguez has developed patented techniques and innovative surgical strategies to provide treatment in areas such as stress incontinence and reconstruction of the bladder and lower urinary tract. Another focus of her research has been the study of the etiology and treatment of urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse, in which she is active in clinical research and outcomes.

Talks by Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD

2017 AUA Guidelines for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence

Posted by Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD | Jun 2018

Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD, summarizes the 2017 American Urological Association (AUA) Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) guidelines and critiques their limitations. In particular, she criticizes the fact that their index patient does not represent patients urologists usually see, their exclusion of non-FDA approved interventions, and their insufficient emphasis on urodynamics.

Which Sling to Use – What, When, Why and Who?

Posted by Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD | Jun 2018

Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD, discusses considerations for midurethral sling surgery to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) that the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines do not cover, including how to treat non-index patients and choosing optimal slings for individual cases. Specifically, she compares the outcomes of retropubic, transobturator, and autologous fascia pubovaginal slings in various patient demographics. She also summarizes the evolution of sling surgery and how it came into widespread use.

Recurrent UTI in the Setting of Mesh Implants

Posted by Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD | May 2018

Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD, discusses risk factors of recurrent urinary tract infections after midurethral sling surgery, when and how to evaluate patients that present with recurrent infections, and imaging options like translabial ultrasound. She also evaluates indications for sling removal and whether or not it safe and beneficial option.

Stem Cell Therapy – Bench to Bedside

Posted by Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD | May 2018

Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD, summarizes the current understanding and available options of stem cell therapy in the context of female pelvic medicine and reconstruction, especially for treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI), pelvic organ prolapse, interstitial cystitis, and fecal incontinence.

Stressing About the Bladder: Neurovisceral Interactions in Persistent Pelvic Pain Syndromes

Posted by Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD | Apr 2018

Larissa V. Rodriguez, MD, discusses the role of environmental stress in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and interstitial cystitis (IC) and the development of the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network. She explains how the neurovisceral interactions involved in processing, emotion, and attention affect bladder function, and how studying this link help develop future treatment options.