Center for Pediatric Urology Offers Leading-Edge, Compassionate Care for Children and Adolescents

The Center for Pediatric Urology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, currently ranked as one of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals for pediatric urology care by U.S. News & World Report, provides groundbreaking technology and testing, as well as medical and surgical care for children with disorders of the urinary tract.

As a pediatric urology Center of Excellence, the center is part of University Hospitals Urology Institute. This gives our patients access to:

  • The only comprehensive pediatric urology program in the Cleveland area
  • The most technologically advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, including sophisticated urodynamic diagnostic equipment and the latest surgical techniques
  • Consultation with adult urology specialists who can help manage conditions that are seen less frequently in children
  • Minimally invasive surgical techniques that result in less pain and scarring, shorter hospital stays and faster recoveries
  • A female pediatric urology specialist who offers a special female pelvic medicine clinic for adolescent girls

Our physicians are experienced in using open, laparoscopic and robotic procedures to remove all or part of a kidney (nephrectomy) for the treatment of kidney tumors. In fact, we were among the first to perform pediatric laparoscopic surgery to remove a kidney through a single, small incision.

From incontinence, bedwetting, and urinary tract infections to complex birth defects and other abnormalities, our center offers a wide array of advanced procedures and diagnostic services to treat pediatric urology conditions including:

  • Endoscopic laser treatment for managing stone disease that allows doctors to directly target the stone from inside the body
  • Botox injections that help eliminate urge incontinence by temporarily paralyzing muscles in the bladder wall
  • Hernia/hydrocele repair
  • Neuromodulation using surgically inserted electrodes that can correct the nerve activity responsible for overactive bladder, incontinence and urinary retention
  • Biofeedback, which includes behavioral and advanced medication therapies that may help some patients increase bladder control and reduce the frequency of bathroom visits
  • Robotic surgery for complex urinary tract reconstruction
  • A comprehensive voiding dysfunction clinic and other specialized testing
  • Urodynamic diagnostic equipment that measures bladder and urethra function

Cooperative, Multidisciplinary Approach Benefits Patients

Teamwork anchors the comprehensive treatment philosophy at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Throughout testing, treatment planning and recovery, each specialist brings a unique skill set to provide the most comprehensive care possible.

The Center for Pediatric Urology team also draws on the experience and expertise of pediatric specialists from multiple disciplines, including:

  • Oncology: the study and treatment of tumors
  • Nephrology: the branch of medicine focused on kidney disease
  • Anesthesiology: the use of drugs or other agents to cause a loss of feeling or consciousness
  • Radiology: the use of X-rays, other imaging technologies and radioactive agents to diagnose and treat disease
  • General surgery
  • Pediatric subspecialists from the full-service UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital

Family-Focused Medicine

We also work to keep families informed and engaged when making health care decisions. Child life specialists are the family’s primary point of contact during hospitalization. Social workers, financial planners and other specialists provide additional help when needed.

When surgery is required, a patient navigator serves as a liaison to smoothly guide the patient and family through every step of the process, adding a soft touch and enhancing the flow of information between the clinical team and family members.

We know it can be difficult for children to cope with potentially embarrassing and life-disrupting conditions. Therefore, we design treatment plans that are sensitive to each child’s unique emotional and physical needs.

Convenient Urology Care

Our urology specialists provide consultative and surgical services at several locations throughout Northeast Ohio, including:

For patient convenience, evening appointments are available at select locations. Please ask when you request an appointment.