Special programs
In addition to the surgical management offered by Children's Memorial urologists for a wide variety of conditions including kidney transplantation, a team approach for the management of poor bladder control is offered at Children's Memorial under the direction of Max Maizels, MD. The "Try for Dry" program offers a comprehensive, specialized approach to wetting disorders. It includes physicians, dieticians, a psychologist and a urodynamic nurse specialist. More here.
Bladder function improvement training (BFIT) is a comprehensive, stepwise approach to managing dysfunctional voiding and includes our Try for Dry program for treatment of nighttime wetting. Children referred to this program are evaluated and managed by our experienced urology nurse practitioners and urologists. More here on dysfunctional voiding and its management through BFIT.
Ultrasound examination can often give clues that urinary abnormalities are occurring in the developing baby. More here on fetal urological conditions.
The program also provides professional education to physicians and other medical professionals in the treatment techniques required for the successful remission of day and night wetting (enuresis) in children. More here on physician training.
Bladder and bowel rehabilitation/stimulation program
Bladder
Our program was initiated in 1984, following a 40-year history of use in Europe for treating children with neurogenic bladder disease. The goals are to:
- Improve bladder compliance and/or increase capacity.
- Initiate or increase bladder sensation.
- Promote effective bladder contractions.
- Initiate synergistic controlled urination, or voiding.
Bowel
This relatively new procedure is designed to improve stool continence in the child with neuropathic bowel dysfunction. It is minimally invasive, well-tolerated and performed on an outpatient basis.
Its success appears statistically significant for the following benefits:
- A decrease in the number of daily accidental stools.
- Increased sensation to have a bowel movement.
For more information about these programs, contact nurse Ingrid Richards at 773.880.4381 or urologist William Kaplan, MD, at 773.880.4428.
Urodynamics services
To help gather specific date about how a child's bladder is functioning, the Urodynamics department provides several tests that may suggest treatment plans for. The tests measure pressures inside and outside the bladder in response to filling and during urination. More here on these tests.