Pediatric Urology

Abstract

THIS book is an excellent addition to the literature on pediatric urology, and fills a void in the area of postoperative complications and their management. The individual chapters are authored by numerous international authorities who are mainly from the United States and Europe. Most major open and endoscopic surgical techniques are covered, with little to no deficiencies. The opening chapters of the book are unique and valuable. They cover important issues that are germaine to the general practice of surgery, including the need for surgical audit, accountability and the fiduciary responsibility of the surgeon with regard to the patient. These are areas that are often neglected and require attention, especially in our current medicolegal climate. There are also nice general principle chapters on the metabolic and endocrine response to surgery, as well as anesthetic complications. The book is broken down into several major sections covering the expected areas of open, endoscopic, genital, tumor and reconstructive surgeries. All of the major urological organs are addressed. Since it is clear that minimally invasive surgery in pediatric urology is here to stay and likely will have an even greater role as technology advances, the chapters on laparoscopy and robotics are particularly valuable. Most of the chapters are concise and cover the needed points of available surgical techniques for the pathological condition, published rates of complication, preventive measures and management of complications. However, in many of the chapters there appears to be more emphasis on describing the complications themselves as opposed to discussing their actual management. In future editions (which hopefully will be forthcoming, given the importance of this book) more emphasis will be needed regarding the particulars of how the authors deal with specific troubling complications. It would be helpful to young pediatric urologists for the authors to describe in detail how they deal with such cases, including their own personal “tricks of the trade” and “words of wisdom.” Such advice from experienced surgeons can be invaluable (even if their comments are not backed by prospective studies) and needs to be more widely dispersed and passed on to the younger generation. Overall, this is an excellent book that would be valuable to all surgeons who practice pediatric urology, independent of their level of training or expertise. It addresses the troublesome problems that are faced on a daily basis and are inherent to the practice of pediatric urology. The editors are to be congratulated for putting this important book together, producing a valuable resource and useful reference text for pediatric urologists.