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Roger Dmochowski MD, MMHC, FACS
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Residency: University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX
Fellowship: Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, CA
Clinical Interests: Female Pelvic Medicine, Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgery, Neurogenic Bladder, Pelvic Floor Reconstrucive Surgery, Urinary Incontinence
Dr Dmochowski is Associate Surgeon in Chief for Vanderbilt University Medical Center and has other leadership positions in the health system. He has a practice focus in female urology, urologic reconstruction and outcomes. He is an immediate past Trustee of the American Board of Urology and is immediate past Vice Chair of the urology Residency Review Committee through ACGME.
He is masters trained in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation.
Research Information
Current research projects include
Pain mechanisms in overactive bladder and functional bladder disorders.
This project examines how sensory and pain pathways, specifically central sensitization, impact on Overactive Bladder symptoms and treatment outcomes. The goal of this research is to identify a biomarker for sensory nerve dysfunction that can help distinguish individuals with OAB based on underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Selected Publications
- Women Undergoing Third Line Overactive Bladder Treatment Demonstrate Elevated Thermal Temporal Summation
- Temporal summation to thermal stimuli is elevated in women with overactive bladder syndrome
- Does central sensitization help explain idiopathic overactive bladder?
How restroom availability and toilet environments impact bladder health and benign urologic conditions.
This area of research investigates the relationships between toilet behaviors and habits, restroom environment restrictions and limitations, and bladder symptoms. The goal of this research is to better understand how external influences, such as access to restrooms, impact on individuals’ toileting experiences and bladder health.
Selected Publications
- Why Do Women Not Use the Bathroom? Women's Attitudes and Beliefs on Using Public Restrooms
- Toileting Behaviors of Women-What is Healthy?
- Toileting Behaviors and Bladder Symptoms in Women Who Limit Restroom Use at Work: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Women's Perceptions of Public Restrooms and the Relationships with Toileting Behaviors and Bladder Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study
Microbiologic interactions with host genitourinary system
This research focuses on urinary microbes, including E. Coli, and how they access and damage the urinary system, causing infection and symptoms. This is a collaborative effort with researchers in Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation.
Psychosocial impacts on interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome.
This work examines how psychosocial factors in chronic pain influence ICBPS and how initiation of self-administered cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms and functioning in patients.
Selected Publications
- Posttraumatic stress disorder in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Relationship to patient phenotype and clinical practice implications
- Psychosocial co-morbidities in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome (IC/BPS): A systematic review
Spinal cord functional MRI signaling in functional bladder disorders.
This project explores the novel application of spinal cord functional MRI techniques to identifying disease pathways in neurogenic and non-neurogenic OAB. This project is a collaborative endeavor with researchers in the Vanderbilt University Institute for Imaging Science.
Active Clinical Trials
Cook Myosite
CELLEBRATE: An Adaptive, Two-Stage, Double-Blind, Stratified, Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of AMDC-USR with Placebo in Female Subjects with Stress Urinary Incontinence.
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Highlighted Publications
Dmochowski RR, Ganabathi K, Leach GE. Non-operative management of the urinary tract in spinal cord injury. Neurourol Urodyn. 1995;14(1):47-55. PMID: 7742848
Dmochowski RR, Littlejohn J, Cox C, Shokouh-Amiri H, Hathaway DK, Gaber AO. Stability of bladder function two years following simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation. Transplant Proc. 1995 Dec;27(6): 3127. PMID: 8539876
Hollabaugh RS Jr, Dmochowski RR, Steiner MS. Neuroanatomy of the male rhabdosphincter. Urology. 1997 Mar;49(3):426-34. PMID: 9123709
Goldman HB, Dmochowski RR. Lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with gastroparesis. J Urol. 1997 May;157(5):1823-5. PMID: 9112531
Stonehill WR, Goldman HB, Dmochowski RR. The use of urine cytology for diagnosing bladder cancer in spinal cord injured patients. J.Urol. 1997 Jun;157(6):2212-4. PMID: 9146593
Leach GE, Dmochowski RR, Appell RA, Blaivas JG, Hadley HR, Luber KM, Mostwin JL, O'Donnell PD, Roehrborn CG. Female Stress Urinary Incontinence Clinical Guidelines Panel summary report on surgical management of female stress urinary incontinence. The American Urological Association. J. Urol. 1997 Sep;158(3 Pt 1):875-80. PMID: 9258103
Goldman HB, Idom CB Jr, Dmochowski RR. Traumatic injuries of the female external genitalia and their association with urological injuries. J Urol. 1998 Mar;159(3):956-9. PMID: 9474191
Weld K, Dmochowski RR. Effect of bladder management on urological complications in spinal cord injured patients. J Urol. 2000 Mar;163(3):768-72. PMID: 10687973
Weld KJ, Graney MJ, Dmochowski RR. Differences in bladder compliance with time and associations of bladder management with compliance in spinal cord injured patients. J Urol. 2000 Apr;163(4):1228-33. PMID: 10737503
Weld KJ, Dmochowski RR. Association of level of injury and bladder behavior in patients with post-traumatic spinal cord injury. Urology. 2000 Apr;55(4):490-4. PMID: 10736489
Weld KJ, Graney MJ, Dmochowski RR. Clinical significance of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia type in patients with post-traumatic spinal cord injury. Urology. 2000 Oct;56(4): 565-8. PMID: 11018603
Hollabaugh RS Jr, Steiner MS, Sellers KD, Samm BJ, Dmochowski RR. Neuroanatomy of the pelvis: implications for colonic and rectal resection. Dis Colon Rect. 2000 Oct;43(10);1390-7. PMID: 11052516
Weld KJ, Wall BM, Mangold TA, Steere EL, Dmochowski RR. Influences on renal function in chronic spinal cord injured patients. J Urol. 2000 Nov;164(5):1490-3. PMID: 11025689
Hollabaugh RS, Steiner MS, Dmochowski RR. Neuroanatomy of the female continence complex: clinical implications. Urology. 2001 Feb;57(2);382-8. PMID: 11182369
Wall BM, Dmochowski RR, Malecha M, Mangold T, Bobal MA, Cooke CR. Inducible nitric oxide synthase in the bladder of spinal cord Injured patients with a chronic indwelling urinary catheter. J Urol. 2001 May;165(5):1457-61. PMID: 11342896
Nitti VW, Carlson KV, Blaivas JG, Dmochowski RR. Early results of pubovaginal sling lysis by midline sling incision. Urology. 2002 Jan;59(1); 47-51; discussion 51-2. PMID: 11796279
Wilson TW, Lemack G, Dmochowski RR. Urolume stents: lessons learned. J Urol. 2002 Jun; 167(6):2477-80. PMID: 11992061
Dmochowski RR, Avon M, Ross J, Cooper JM, Kaplan R, Love B, Kohli N, Albala D, Shingleton B. Transvaginal radio frequency treatment of the endopelvic fascia: a prospective evaluation for the treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence. J Urol. 2003 Mar;169(3): 1028-32. PMID: 12576838
Scarpero HM, Dmochowski RR, Nitti VW. Repeat urethrolysis after failed urethrolysis for iatrogenic obstruction. J Urol. 2003 Mar;169(3);1013-6. PMID: 12576834
Gomelsky A, Lemack GE, Weld KJ, Dmochowski RR. Urodynamic patterns following ischemic spinal cord events. J Urol. 2003 Jul;170(1);122-5. PMID: 12796662
Dmochowski RR, Miklos JR, Norton PA, Zinner NR, Yalcin I, Bump RC. Duloxitene vs. placebo for the treatment of North American women with stress urinary incontinence. J Urol. 2003 Oct;170(4 Pt 1):1259-63. PMID: 14501737
Dmochowski RR, Sanders SW, Appell RA, Nitti VW, Davila GW. Bladder-health diaries: an assessment of 3-day vs 7-day entries. BJU Int. 2005 Nov;96(7):1049-54. PMID: 16225527
Rudy D, Cline K, Harris R, Goldberg K, Dmochowski R. Time to onset of improvement in symptoms of overactive bladder using antimuscarinic treatment. BJU Int. 2006 Mar;97(3): 540-6. PMID: 16469022
Cole EE, Kaufman MR, Scarpero HM, Dmochowski RR. The effects of isolated posterior compartment defects on lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic findings. BJU Int. 2006 May;97(5):1024-6. PMID: 16643484
Starkman JS, Wolder CE, Gomelsky A, Scarpero HM, Dmochowski RR. Voiding dysfunction after removal of eroded slings. J Urol. 2006 Dec;176(6 Pt 1):2749. PMID: 17139780
Starkman JS, Martinez-Ferrer M, Iturregui JM, Uwamariya C, Dmochowski RR, Bhowmick NA. Nicotinic signaling ameliorates acute bladder inflammation induced by protamine sulfate or cyclophosphamide. J Urol. 2008 Jun;179(6):2440-6. PMID: 18433785
Wolter CE, Starkman JS, Scarpero HM, Dmochowski RR. Removal of transobturator midurethral sling for refractory thigh pain. Urology. 2008 Aug;72(2):461.e1-3. PMID: 18314169
Chapple CR, Wein A, Abrams P, Dmochowski R, Giuliano F, Kaplan S, McVary K, Roehrborn CG. Lower urinary tract symptoms revisited: a broader clinical perspective. Eur Urol. 2008 Sep;54(3):563-9. PMID: 18423969
Sand PK, Steers WD, Dmochowski R, Andoh M, Forero-Schwanhaeuser S. Patient-reported most bothersome symptoms in OAB: post hoc analysis of data from a large, open-label trial of solifenacin. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct. 2009 Jun;20(6):667-75. PMID: 19434385
Faraday M, Hubbard H, Kosiak B, Dmochowski R. Staying at the cutting edge: A review and analysis of evidence reporting and grading; the recommendations of the American Urological Association. BJU Int. 2009 Aug;104(3):294-7. PMID: 19614654
Roosen A, Chapple CR, Dmochowski R, Fowler CJ, Gratzke C, Roehrborn CG, Stief CG, Andersson KE. A refocus on the bladder as the originator of storage lower urinary tract symptoms: a systematic review of the latest literature. Eur Urol. 2009 Nov;56(5):810-9. Review. PMID: 19683859
Khullar V, Cardozo L, Dmochowski R. Mixed Incontinence: current evidence and future perspectives. Neurourol Urodyn. 2010 Apr;29(4):618-22. PMID: 2043232
Dmochowski R, Chapple C, Nitti VW, Chancellor M, Everaert K, Thompson C, Daniell G, Zhou J, Haag-Molkenteller C. Efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA in idiopathic overactive bladder: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized, dose ranging trial. J Urol. 2010 Dec;184(6):2416-22. PMID: 20952013
Kauffmann RM, Landman MP, Shelton J, Dmochowski RR, Bledsoe SH, Hickson GB, Beauchamp RD, Dattilo JB. The use of a multidisciplinary morbidity and mortality conference to incorporate ACGME general competencies. J Surg Educ. 2011 Jul-Aug; 68(4):303-8. PMID: 21708368 | PMCID: PMC3128423
Reynolds WS, Chang Kit L, Kaufman MR, Karram M, Bales GT, Dmochowski RR. Obturator foramen dissection for excision of symptomatic transobturator mesh. J Urol. 2012 May; 187(5):1680-4. PMID: 22425123
Gold KP, Ward RM, Zimmerman CW, Biller DH, McGuinn S, Slaughter JC, Dmochowski RR. Factors associated with exposure of transvaginally placed polypropylene mesh for pelvic organ prolapse. Int Urogynecol J. 2012 Oct;23(10):1461-6. PMID: 22447037
Dmochowski R, Roehrborn C, Klise S, Xu L, Kaminetsky J, Kraus S. Urodynamic effects of once daily tadalafil in men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, placebo controlled 12-week clinical trial. J Urol. 2013 Jan;189(1 Suppl):S135-40. PMID: 23234619
Osborn DJ, Dmochowski RR, Kaufman MR, Milam DF, Mock S, Reynolds WS. Cystectomy with urinary diversion for benign disease: indications and outcomes. Urology. 2014 Jun;83(6):1433-7. PMID: 24767824
Cardozo L, Staskin D, Currie B, Wiklund I, Globe D, Signori M, Dmochowski R, MacDiarmid S, Nitti VW, Noblett K. Validation of a bladder symptom screening tool in women with incontinence due to overactive bladder. Int Urogynecol J. 2014 Dec;25(12): 1655-63. PMID: 24859795 | PMCID: PMC4234889
Johnsen NV, Dmochowski RR, Mock S, Reynolds WS, Milam DF, Kaufman MR. Primary Endoscopic Realignment of Urethral Disruption Injuries-- A Double-Edged Sword? J Urol. 2015 Oct;194(4):1022-6. PMID: 25849600
Johnsen NV, Young JB, Reynolds WS, Kaufman MR, Milam DF, Guillamondegui OD, Dmochowski RR. Evaluating the Role for Operative Repair of Extraperitoneal Bladder Rupture Following Blunt Pelvic Trauma. J Urol. 2016 Mar;195(3):661-5. PMID: 26318983
Mock S, Osborn DJ, Brown ET, Reynolds WS, Turchan M, Pallavaram S, Rodriguez W, Dmochowski R, Tolleson CM. The Impact of Pallidal and Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation on Urologic Function in Parkinson's Disease. Neuromodulation. 2016 Oct;19(7): 717-723. PMID: 27172446 | PMCID: PMC5052109
Kaufman MR, Chang-Kit L, Raj SR, Black BK, Milam DF, Reynolds WS, Biaggioni I, Robertson D, Dmochowski RR. Overactive bladder and autonomic dysfunction: Lower urinary tract symptoms in females with postural tachycardia syndrome. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017 Mar;36(3):610-613. PMID: 26859225 | PMCID: PMC4980267
Reynolds WS, Brown ET, Danford J, Kaufman M, Wein A, Dmochowski R, Bruehl S. Temporal summation to thermal stimuli is elevated in women with overactive bladder syndrome. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017 Apr;36(4):1108-1112. PMID: 27434229 | PMCID: PMC5247414
Cooper WO, Guillamondegui O, Hines OJ, Hultman CS, Kelz RR, Shen P, Spain DA, Sweeney JF, Moore IN, Hopkins J, Horowitz IR, Howerton RM, Meredith JW, Spell NO, Sullivan P, Domenico HJ, Pichert JW, Catron TF, Webb LE, Dmochowski RR, Karrass J, Hickson GB. Use of Unsolicited Patient Observations to Identify Surgeons with Increased Risk for Postoperative Complications. JAMA Surg. 2017 Jun 1;152(6):522-529. PMID: 28199477 | PMCID: PMC5831421
Cohn JA, Ni S, Kaufman MR, Graves AJ, Penson DF, Dmochowski RR, Reynolds WS. Urinary retention and catheter use among U.S. female Medicare beneficiaries: Prevalence and risk factors. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017 Nov;36(8):2101-2108. PMID: 28267877 | PMCID: PMC5956898
Adamsky MA, Boysen WR, Cohen AJ, Ham S, Dmochowski RR, Faris SF, Bales GT, Cohn JA. Evaluating the Role of Postoperative Oral Antibiotic Administration in Artificial Urinary Sphincter and Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Explantation: A Nationwide Analysis. Urology. 2018 Jan;111:92-98. PMID: 28964819 | PMCID: PMC5747981
Athavale A, Gooch K, Walker D, Suh M, Scaife J, Haber A, Hadker N, Dmochowski R. A patient-reported, non-interventional, cross-sectional discrete choice experiment to determine treatment attribute preferences in treatment-naïve overactive bladder patients in the U.S. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018 Oct 12;12:2139-2152. PMID: 30349208 | PMCID: PMC6190636
McKernan LC, Johnson BN, Reynolds WS, Williams DA, Cheavens JS, Dmochowski RR, Crofford LJ. Posttraumatic stress disorder in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Relationship to patient phenotype and clinical practice implications. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Jan;38(1):353-362. PMID: 30350890 | PMCID: PMC6310618
Birder LA, Wolf-Johnston AS, Jackson EK, Wein AJ, Dmochowski R. Aging increases the
expression of vasopressin receptors in both the kidney and urinary bladder. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Jan;38(1):393-397. PMID: 30311671 | PMCID: PMC9839378
De Wachter S, Benson KD, Dmochowski RR, Rovner ES, Versi E, Miller LE, Tu LM.
Six-Month Results of Selective Bladder Denervation in Women with Refractory Overactive Bladder. J Urol. 2019 Mar;201(3):573-580. PMID: 30240691
Dmochowski R, Lynch CM, Efros M, Cardozo L. External electrical stimulation compared with intravaginal electrical stimulation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: A randomized controlled noninferiority trial. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Sep;38(7): 1834-1843. PMID: 31270846
Hartigan SM, Reynolds WS, Dmochowski RR. Detrusor underactivity in women: A current understanding. Neurourol Urodyn. 2019 Nov;38(8):2070-2076. Review. PMID: 31432566
Reynolds WS, Kowalik C, Kaufman MR, Dmochowski RR, Fowke JH. Women's Perceptions of Public Restrooms and the Relationships with Toileting Behaviors and Bladder Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Urol. 2020 Aug;204(2):310-315. PMID: 32096679 | PMCID: PMC7354199
Dmochowski RR, Thai S, Iglay K, Enemchukwu E, Tee S, Varano S, Girman C, Radican L, Mudd PN Jr, Poole C. Increased risk of incident dementia following use of anticholinergic agents: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Neurourol Urodyn. 2021 Jan; 40(1):28-37. PMID: 33098213 | PMCID: PMC7821204
Windgassen SS, Sutherland S, Finn MTM, Bonnet KR, Schlundt DG, Reynolds WS, Dmochowski RR, McKernan LC. Gender differences in the experience of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 11;3:954967. PMID: 36034752 | PMCID: PMC9404297\
Gleicher S, Karram M, Wein AJ, Dmochowski RR. Recurrent and complicated urinary tract infections in women: Utility of advanced testing to enhance care. Neurourol Urodyn. 2023 Jan;43(1):161-166. PMID: 37822027
Monaghan TF, Weiss JP, Wein AJ, Rahman SN, Lazar JM, Bliwise DL, Everaert K, Lemack GE, Cornu JN, Drake MJ, Chapple CR, Hashim H, Blaivas JG, Dmochowski RR. Sleep Disorders, Comorbidities, Actions, Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction, and Medications ("Sleep C.A.L.M.") in the evaluation and management of nocturia: A simple approach to a complex diagnosis. Neurourol Urodyn. 2023 Mar;42(3):562-572. Review. PMID: 36655726
Reynolds WS, McKernan LC, Dmochowski RR, Bruehl S. The biopsychosocial impacts of anxiety on overactive bladder in women. Neurourol Urodyn. 2023 Apr;42(4):778-784. PMID: 36780135 | PMCID: PMC10101863
Kaufman MR, Goldman HB, Chermansky CJ, Dmochowski R, Kennelly MJ, Peters KM, Quiroz LH, Bennett JB, Thomas S, Marguet CG, Benson KD, Lee UJ, Sokol ER, Wolter CE, Katz DM, Tarnay CM, Antosh D, Heit MH, Rehme C, Karram M, Snyder S, Canestrari E, Jankowski RJ, Chancellor MB. Iltamiocel Autologous Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Stratified, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Neurourol Urodyn. 2024 Nov;43(8):2290-2299. PMID: 39282854
Chermansky CJ, Ockrim JL, Bou Kheir G, Chapple CR, Kearney R, Toia B, Dmochowski RR, Wein AJ, Abrams P. Do We Need to Re-Focus on Functional Female Urethral Disorders in Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction? ICI-RS 2024. Neurourol Urodyn. 2024 Nov 28. doi: 10.1002/nau.25633. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39610086