Abstract
Pediatric urology is coming of age. Evidence of this is the success of specialty meetings, the increasing number of surgeons from around the world who practice predominantly or exclusively pediatric urology, and the fact that now there is more than one journal devoted exclusively to the field. If we go back to the publication of what to my knowledge is the first textbook of pediatric urology by Meredith Campbell in 1937 (1), at a time when pediatric urology as an organized specialty did not exist (2), and fast forward to today when there is a plethora of books on the subject, regional pediatric urology societies, major associations in each continent with well attended congresses and dedicated journals, we can be proud to be part of this exciting process of maturation of this specialized body of knowledge. Since my beginnings in urology, I have witnessed incredible technical advances in the operations to repair hypospadias, the popularization of intermittent catheterization which, revolutionized the management of neuropathic bladder dysfunction, progress in the surgical repair of major birth defects such as bladder exstrophy and persistent cloaca, application of endourological procedures to children, significant advancements in managing urinary incontinence, both medical and surgical and, in progress in postoperative pain control. Through cooperation with other disciplines, we have also seen significant advances in the treatment of genitourinary tumors and in pediatric renal transplantation. The development and application of minimally invasive surgery to children of all ages with genitourinary disorders represents one of the latest significant advancements (3). Yet we have many other challenges ahead, among them, those discussed in the following sections need to be addressed by present and future generations of academic pediatric urologists.
Highlights
Reviewed by: Francisco Ignacio De Badiola, Hospital Italiano-Buenos Aires, Argentina “The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge.”
Pediatric urology is coming of age. Evidence of this is the success of specialty meetings, the increasing number of surgeons from around the world who practice predominantly or exclusively pediatric urology, and the fact that there is more than one journal devoted exclusively to the field
If we go back to the publication of what to my knowledge is the first textbook of pediatric urology by Meredith Campbell in 1937 [1], at a time when pediatric urology as an organized specialty did not exist [2], and fast forward to today when there is a plethora of books on the subject, regional pediatric urology societies, major associations in each continent with well attended congresses and dedicated journals, we can be proud to be part of this exciting process of maturation of this specialized body of knowledge
Summary
A limited number of centers and individuals have taken this challenge but in general the urological care of adult patients who have had bladder exstrophy, spina bifida, or anorectal malformations to mention just a few remains problematic. This challenge is not limited to genitourinary diseases and exists in other areas such as cardiology and neurosurgery. In the US pediatric urology training programs there is often 1 year devoted to research Whether or not this is an effective approach to stimulate young surgeons to pursue an academic and research career is open to question given time limitation and relative shortness of mentors [10]. More effective is probably to provide interested faculty members adequate protected time to conduct research
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