Urology

Arkansas Children's Urology has a long-standing history of caring for children who need improvements in their bladder, kidney and urinary tract. Our program started more than 40 years ago and has grown to include surgeons, advanced practice registered nurses, multiple specialty and clinic nurses, and clinics in Springdale, Jonesboro, and central Arkansas. Children from across the state and region depend on the care of the Urology Service at Arkansas Children's. Whether they need a complex birth defect repaired, assistance with prolonged bed-wetting or help to resolve kidney stones, children require specialized care. Their bodies are smaller and more delicate. Their treatments must be too.

Families know they receive care tailored to their children when they bring them to the urology clinic at Arkansas Children's. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained urologists understand that urologic disorders can be challenging both physically and emotionally. We offer comprehensive support that begins at the first evaluation and continues past recovery.

Our urologists offer families expertise in noninvasive testing and minimally invasive surgery. They also have special training in a wide range of disorders including hypospadias, dysfunctional voiding and ambiguous genitalia.

Our specialists spend time with each patient, listening carefully to their concerns and creating a plan with the family's input. This patient-focused environment leads to a better outcome for every child.

What sets Arkansas Children's Urology apart?

• Each year our service cares for children through more than 7,500 visits for urologic treatment.
• It is the only hospital in Arkansas with three surgeons trained to use the da Vinci Surgical Robot for pediatric urology procedures. This means more children have the opportunity to recover from urologic surgeries with less pain, shorter recovery times and minimal scarring.
• Arkansas Children's Urology treats large volumes of issues that are mostly seen in the pediatric population – hypospadias, circumcisions, undescended testicles and bedwetting among them.
• We also offer Telehealth visits in the Springdale, Jonesboro, Texarkana, and Fort Smith areas. We believe that telehealth saves time and money for the families by increasing the ease of access to Arkansas Children's Hospital while providing high-quality care. 
• We have dedicated pediatric anesthesiologists, trained in delivering exactly the pain control your child needs.
• Our specialized equipment offers children a more comfortable experience, from clinical exam to surgical suite and home care.
• Ongoing research means our pediatric urologists are at the forefront of developments that will give each child the best chances for better urologic function.
• We offer prenatal consults for congenital urologic disorders diagnosed before the baby is born. If available for the family, we offer these consults as a video visit with our provider from the comfort of their home.

 

The Urology Clinic cares for children with problems involving the genitourinary system. Generally, these include congenital anomalies of the kidney, ureter, bladder, inguinal region and male and female genitalia, as well as urinary tract infections. Specific conditions treated include renal masses, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, injuries to the genitourinary system, undescended testes, hydroceles, patent processus vaginalis and hypospadias.

Your Visit to the Urology Clinic

We understand that seeking treatment for a urological disorder can be stressful. Our Urology team provides families with every resource possible to make their treatment easier. Here's what you can expect.

If you're visiting the Urology Clinic, you may have been referred by your child's primary pediatrician. We will have background on your child, but will appreciate any context you can provide.

What if my child needs surgery?

Urology Services at Arkansas Children's Hospital has repaired urological conditions for thousands of kids across the region. We provide delicate and comprehensive treatment that parents can trust.

If you think your child might need surgery, he or she will be evaluated by a urologist. You can make an appointment by contacting us or ask your pediatrician for a referral.

After evaluating your child through the Urology Clinic, our specialist will recommend the best course of treatment which may include surgery. They will explain the benefits and risks to you, creating a plan that works best for your family.

If surgery is required, a surgery scheduler will work with you and the surgeon to arrange a date. To schedule surgery, please call our office at 501-364-3960.

Urology Volumes & Outcomes

Arkansas Children's Urology Services makes it a priority to provide volumes and outcomes to our patients, families, and providers. We track our outcomes to improve the care we provide. Our board certified, fellowship-trained Urologist performs over 1,300 operations per year and provide care for children through more than 7,500 visits for urologic treatment.

Over the past 6 years, Urology Services has performed 564 first and second-degree hypospadias surgeries with a 6.4% complication rate and 108 third-degree hypospadias surgeries with a 22.2% complication rate.

Urology Division Hypospadias Report Card (2016-2020)

1st and 2nd Degree

• # of Surgeries: 447

• Complication %: 7.4%

3rd Degree

• # of Surgeries: 60
• Complication %: 13.3%