Pediatric Urology, SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital

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The Paediatric Urology Unit at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is integrated into the Surgery Department and has over 30 years of experience in renal and urinary tract diseases. Among the fields of special interest, the department treats neurogenic bladders, epispadias/bladder exstrophies, disorders of sex development (DSD), and uses minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of obstructive uropathies and hypospadias surgery. At present, genitourinary pathology represents a third of all paediatric surgery cases.

Our Hospital is a national reference centre, both for the complexity of the cases that are treated as well as the volume of patients. We hold national accreditation from Reference Centres, Services and Units (CSUR) for epispadias/bladder exstrophies, making our Paediatric Urology Unit a reference centre in Spain.

We are pioneers in applying minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of pyeloureteral stenosis and vesicoureteral reflux in paediatric patients, in which we have extensive experience and a success rate approaching 90%. In 75% of uropathies that require surgical repair, we use minimally invasive techniques, both in newborns as well as children and adolescents.

For the treatment of bladder dysfunction, we have the Urodynamics Unit, offering highly-specialised medical and nursing staff. In addition to carrying out examinations in the presence of a child’s parents, tailored treatment is provided for every patient.

Alongside the Nephrology Department, we treat patients who suffer from chronic kidney failure, by means of a Renal Transplant wherever possible. We also conduct foetal treatment of obstructions of the lower urinary tract with the hospital’s Foetal Medicine Department.

Specialising in Paediatric Urological Surgery

Congenital Uropathies

Vesico-ureteral Reflux. Urinary infections

Prenatal and urinary tract infection diagnosis. We have a high success rate in endoscopic surgery and laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation. In the majority of cases, treatment is able to cure reflux and urinary infections.

It is not covered by public health

Megaureter

We are experts in endourological treatment which avoids open surgery in over 70% of cases. In some cases, megaureter requires surgery. If this is the case, we perform laparoscopic ureteral implantation.

It is not covered by public health

Pyeloureteral stenosis and hydronephrosis

Pyeloureteral stenosis is a narrowing of the junction between the renal pelvis and the ureter. We are experts in the early laparoscopic correction of this uropathy. Using this complex technique can prevent the deterioration of kidney function.

It is not covered by public health

Functional Urology

Diurnal and nocturnal incontinence

Our department offers a multidisciplinary team (paediatrics, urology, rehabilitation, nursing) who treat the patient affected by both diurnal and nocturnal urinary incontinence from all angles.

It is not covered by public health

Neurogenic bladder

An alteration that is caused when the nervous system does not enable adequate continence of the bladder. This may be due to congenital problems such as spina bifida, or due to the spinal cord or brain injuries. We treat this condition from birth.

It is not covered by public health

Genital malformations

Epispadias - Bladder exstrophy

A congenital defect of the urogenital system. It is rare and must be treated early (within the first 48 hours of life). We have a multidisciplinary team and are accredited nationally by the RCSU in the surgical approach to this minority pathology.

It is not covered by public health

Hypospadias

Hypospadia is a malformation of the penis which requires surgical repair during the first few months of life. The Unit is a leader in the treatment of the most complex cases with one-stage surgical procedures, which can avoid further surgery for the

It is not covered by public health

Specialists in Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery

We treat complex illnesses. Our success rate in minimally invasive surgery in patients with congenital uropathies is higher than 90%. We work in partnership with other departments (Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Nephrology, Neonatology, Foetal Medicine and Psychology, among others). In addition, we have a Transitional Care Unit for adults and we carry out follow-ups with chronic patients via the Patient Portal. We maintain contact with primary care through the ‘Vincles amb Primària Hospital Sant Joan de Déu’ Programme for children and families. We are linked to Spain’s Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community.

800 interventions in 2017

Including:

Hypospadia

150

patients

Obstructive uropathy

150

cases

Epispadias - Exstrophy

8

interventions

Disorders of sex development

9

cases treated

90% of surgical patients recover their normal functioning. Each year we deal with over 5,600 visits in outpatient appointments and we perform over 100 urodynamics tests.

I was born with spina bifida and they diagnosed me as having a neurogenic bladder. After several operations and follow-ups at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital, I’ve grown normally. I’m just about to finish my studies and I’m thinking about becoming independent.

Araida Sánchez, patient at the Urology Unit

Areas of research

The Urological Surgery team at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital is working on various projects in the field of paediatric urology.

Find out more about our research in Urology

How to get your child admitted to SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital

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