Denis Browne: Contributions to pediatric urology

Back to 77th Annual Meeting
Back to Program Outline

Background: Sir Denis Browne, a surgeon at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street was the first surgeon to confine his practice solely to pediatric surgery. He made numerous important contributions to the field of pediatric surgery in orthopedics, otolaryngology plastic surgery and urology and is thus known as the father of modern British pediatric surgery.
Methods: We reviewed the original publications, historical records and the medical literature on Denis Browne and his contributions to urology.
Results: Sir Denis Browne used his anatomical studies to elucidate many of the problems he faced. He classified undescended testis into two groups still recognized today: "normal variations of development (retractile testis) which only need leaving alone" and "congenital deformities which need operation." During orchidopexy he stressed cord mobilization rather than testicular fixation and tension on the blood supply. He was also the first to describe the superficial inguinal pouch, which bears his name, as a common site for the undescended testis. He devised a new operation for hypospadias based on the principle that a buried strip of skin will epithelialize the surrounding tissue into a tube. The simplicity of his technique made hypospadias surgery available to the average surgeon. As an inventor, he designed many surgical instruments, including a circular retractor holder, as well as a universal golf club, a circular tennis racquet and a modified bicycle seat.
Conclusions: Sir Denis Browne, the father of modern British surgery, among his many scientific and operative contributions categorized undescended testis and described the superificial inguinal pouch as a common location for undescended testis. His buried strip technique for hypospadias was simple and made hypospadias surgery available to the average surgeon. His innovations in surgical theory, technique and instrumentation contributed to advancements in pediatric urology as well as pediatric surgery.

Back to 77th Annual Meeting
Back to Program Outline