Christian O. Twiss, MD, FACS

Program Director, Residency
Director, Female Urology, Pelvic Medicine, and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
Professor, Urology
Academic Professional Bio: 

Christian Twiss, MD, FACS, is an expert in the subspecialty of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery and is one the few urologists in Arizona who has board certification in both urology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He has extensive experience treating female and male urinary incontinence and female pelvic organ prolapse via the vaginal, robotic, and open approaches. He also has extensive experience in vaginal mesh removal, vaginal reconstruction after mesh removal, and treating complications of vaginal reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Twiss graduated magna cum laude with honors from Brown University and obtained his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery training and his urology residency at New York University, where he trained at New York University Medical Center, the Manhattan Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and New York’s world-famous Bellevue Hospital. Following his residency, Dr. Twiss became a fellow in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles, under the mentorship of Dr. Shlomo Raz. After completing his two-year fellowship, he joined the faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where he is currently an associate professor of Surgery.

Dr. Twiss’ current research interests include outcomes of surgery for female pelvic floor disorders, including treatments for incontinence, vaginal prolapse, and vaginal mesh removal. He is also researching the use of dynamic pelvic MRI in the diagnosis of female pelvic organ prolapse as well as the development of new techniques for female pelvic floor reconstruction.

Research Interests: 

Incontinence and vaginal prolapse treatment
Urodynamics
Interstitial cystitis
Outcomes research in incontinence and pelvic reconstructive surgery

Degrees:
  1. MD: New York University School of Medicine, 2000
  2. BS: Brown University
Honors and Awards:
  • Castle Connolly Top Doctor, 2013-2016
  • Voted in "Best Doctors in America," 2013, 2014
Residencies:
  • New York University, Urology, 2002-2006
  • New York University, Surgery, Intern and Resident, 2000-2002
Fellowships:
  • University of California Los Angeles, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Female Urology, and Urodynamics, 2006-2008
Board Certifications:
  • American Board of Urology
  • American Board of Urology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Urology Residency Program Director

Publications

2023

Rust, J., J. A. Seaman, and C. O. Twiss, Modified Martius Flap Urethroplasty: A New Technique, 05/2023.

2022

Zeng, J., A. Bergersen, E. Price, M. Callegari, E. Austin, O. Oduyemi, K. Poling, C-H. Hsu, J. Funk, and C. Twiss, "Symptom Resolution and Recurrent Urinary Incontinence Following Removal of Painful Midurethral Slings.", Urology, vol. 159, pp. 78-82, 2022 Jan.
Rust, J., and C. Twiss, "V06-08 MODIFIED MARTIUS FLAP URETHROPLASTY", Journal of Urology, vol. 207, issue 5 supplement, 2022.
Patel, S., F. M. Chaus, J. T. Funk, and C. O. Twiss, "Total Autologous Fascia Lata Sacrocolpopexy for Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Experience in Thirty-Four Patients.", Urology, vol. 170, pp. 73-77, 2022 Dec.

2021

Bergersen, A., E. Price, M. Callegari, E. Austin, O. Oduyemi, C-H. Hsu, J. T. Funk, and C. O. Twiss, "Pain Resolution and Recurrent Prolapse Rates Following Vaginal Mesh Removal.", Urology, vol. 150, pp. 134-138, 2021 Apr.

2020

Lwin, A. A., J. Zeng, P. Evans, M. C. Phung, K. A. Hynes, E. T. Price, C. O. Twiss, D. T. Tzou, and J. T. Funk, "Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate Is Safe and Feasible as a Same Day Surgery.", Urology, vol. 138, pp. 119-124, 2020 Apr.
"Joint position statement on the management of mesh-related complications for the FPMRS specialist.", Int Urogynecol J, vol. 31, issue 4, pp. 679-694, 2020 Apr.

2019

Kim, S., G. R. Pollock, C. O. Twiss, and J. T. Funk, "Surgery for Posterior Compartment Vaginal Prolapse: Graft Augmented Repair.", Urol Clin North Am, vol. 46, issue 1, pp. 87-95, 2019 Feb.
Chaus, F. M., J. T. Funk, J. Pangilinan, F. C. Lin, and C. O. Twiss, "Total Autologous Fascia Lata Anterior and Apical Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair: A New Technique and Initial Experience.", Urology, 2019 Dec 26.
Arif-Tiwari, H., C. O. Twiss, F. C. Lin, J. T. Funk, S. Vedantham, D. R. Martin, and B. T. Kalb, "Improved Detection of Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Comparative Utility of Defecography Phase Sequence to Nondefecography Valsalva Maneuvers in Dynamic Pelvic Floor Magnetic Resonance Imaging.", Curr Probl Diagn Radiol, vol. 48, issue 4, pp. 342-347, 2019 Jul - Aug.
Pollock, G. R., C. O. Twiss, S. Chartier, S. Vedantham, J. Funk, and H. Arif Tiwari, "Comparison of magnetic resonance defecography grading with POP-Q staging and Baden-Walker grading in the evaluation of female pelvic organ prolapse.", Abdom Radiol (NY), 2019 Nov 12.
Bergersen, A., C. Hinkel, J. Funk, and C. O. Twiss, "Management of vaginal mesh exposure: A systematic review.", Arab J Urol, vol. 17, issue 1, pp. 40-48, 2019 Mar. PMCID: PMC6583711 

2018

Lin, F. C., J. T. Funk, H. Arif Tiwari, B. T. Kalb, and C. O. Twiss, "Dynamic Pelvic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Compared to Physical Examination Findings.", Urology, vol. 119, pp. 49-54, 2018 Sep.

2014

Onyishi, S. E., and C. O. Twiss, "Pressure flow studies in men and women.", Urol Clin North Am, vol. 41, issue 3, pp. 453-67, ix, 2014 Aug.
Dyer, A. J., and C. O. Twiss, "Painful bladder syndrome: an update and review of current management strategies.", Curr Urol Rep, vol. 15, issue 2, pp. 384, 2014 Feb.

2013

Terris, M. K., Z. Wang, Z. Culig, C. O. Twiss, P. Lee, and P. S. Nelson, "Launching of american journal of clinical and experimental urology.", Am J Clin Exp Urol, vol. 1, issue 1, pp. 1-2, 2013. PMCID: PMC4219280 

2009

Wang, L., X. Zou, A. D. Berger, C. Twiss, Y. Peng, Y. Li, J. Chiu, H. Guo, J. Satagopan, A. Wilton, et al., "Increased expression of histone deacetylaces (HDACs) and inhibition of prostate cancer growth and invasion by HDAC inhibitor SAHA.", Am J Transl Res, vol. 1, issue 1, pp. 62-71, 2009. PMCID: PMC2776287