Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology - Nuremberg Hospital

About the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology at Nuremberg Hospital

The Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology at the Nuremberg Hospital offers high-quality surgical treatment for young patients. The department provides care to children of all age groups, ranging from newborns to adolescents up to 18 years old. Special attention in the department's clinical practice is paid to the repair of congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and chest wall. The department's surgeons successfully perform operations for duodenal, anorectal, and esophageal atresia, Hirschsprung's disease, abdominal wall defects, diaphragmatic hernias, and other pathologies. The department also has a team of pediatric urologists whose area of responsibility is the repair of congenital malformations of the urinary system in both boys and girls and genitalia in boys. In addition, the department provides medical care to children with injuries of varying severity and burns. The specialists make every effort to restore the health of young patients in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Surgical treatment is available both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Whenever possible, sparing laparoscopic techniques are used. The medical facility treats about 4,000 young patients every year. The department is headed by Dr. med. Karl Bodenschatz. 

The department's surgeons specialize in the treatment of congenital malformations of organs in the abdominal cavity in children. One of the key clinical interests is the treatment of esophageal atresia. This condition is a congenital malformation in which the upper and lower parts of the esophagus do not connect. Many children with this anomaly also have a tracheoesophageal fistula, which is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea. The only treatment for esophageal atresia is surgery. As a rule, it is almost impossible to detect the malformation during prenatal ultrasound scanning, so it is diagnosed after birth. The main method of diagnostics is a chest X-ray. The department's doctors also conduct a physical examination, ultrasound examinations of the heart, kidneys, and spine, as well as magnetic resonance imaging. Should the diagnosis be confirmed, surgery will be performed as soon as possible. The department's surgeons use a thoracoscopic approach whenever possible, ensuring minimal trauma to healthy tissues and a quick recovery for the child in the postoperative period. When performing the intervention, the specialists eliminate a pathological connection between the esophagus and trachea, after which they join the ends of the esophagus segments. Following the operation, a child remains in the intensive care unit under medical supervision.

The department's surgeons also have excellent qualifications in the treatment of lung diseases and chest wall deformities. The medical center has gained vast experience in the repair of pectus excavatum. This congenital pathology is characterized by the retraction of the anterior part of the sternum and ribs, while the shape and depth of the defect may be completely different. The deformity is not only a serious aesthetic problem but also carries risks for the child's health, including breathing difficulties, heart dysfunction, spinal curvature, and back pain. The department's surgeons offer young patients two treatment options, namely conservative and surgical ones. Conservative therapy consists of repairing the deformed thorax with the help of a vacuum bell. This treatment option is, however, only suitable for patients with mild forms of pectus excavatum. The second treatment option is the Nuss procedure. This surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques and provides patients with excellent outcomes.

A special focus of the department's clinical activities is the treatment of urologic diseases in children. The department's surgeons successfully perform operations for acute scrotum, urethral valves, undescended testicles, testicular torsion, hydronephrosis, hydrocele, hypospadias, phimosis, vesicoureteral reflux, and other pathologies. Almost all surgical interventions on the urinary system and genitalia in boys are performed using minimally traumatic techniques. In many cases, operations are done on an outpatient basis without a mandatory hospital stay.

Children require special attention and specific approaches to treatment. Young patients may sometimes be highly sensitive to medical procedures. The department’s medical staff is well trained to provide psychological support to children during the entire therapeutic process.

The department's range of medical services includes:

• Pediatric surgery
  • Surgical repair of congenital gastrointestinal malformations
    • Esophageal atresia
    • Duodenal atresia
    • Anal atresia
    • Hirschsprung's disease
    • Congenital abdominal wall defects: gastroschisis and omphalocele
    • Diaphragmatic hernias
    • Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
    • Necrotizing enterocolitis
  • Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
    • Appendicitis
    • Intestinal obstruction
    • Intussusception
    • Inguinal and umbilical hernias
    • Meckel's diverticulum
  • Surgical repair of congenital chest wall deformities
    • Pectus excavatum
    • Congenital pulmonary airway malformation
    • Pulmonary sequestration
  • Surgical treatment of chest diseases
    • Pleural empyema
    • Pneumothorax
  • Surgical treatment of diseases of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas
    • Gallstone disease
    • Biliary atresia
    • Pancreatic cysts
    • Liver tumors
  • Surgical treatment of injuries of varying severity in children, including multiple injuries
  • Surgical treatment of burns and scalds, including laser treatment for hypertrophic scars after burns and scalds
  • Surgical treatment of neck cysts and fistulas
• Pediatric urology
  • Surgical treatment of diseases of the urinary system in boys and girls
    • Urethral valves
    • Megaureter
    • Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
    • Vesicoureteral reflux
    • Hydronephrosis
  • Surgical treatment of genitourinary diseases in boys
    • Acute scrotum
    • Cryptorchidism
    • Testicular torsion
    • Hydrocele
    • Hypospadias
    • Phimosis
    • Varicocele
• Other medical services

Photo of the doctor: (c) Klinikum Nürnberg