Circumcision:
Having a circumcision performed on you or child is a personal choice. Men who have infections or discomfort caused by foreskin often elect to undergo this simple procedure to make personal hygiene easier. Some undergo this procedure as part of a religious ritual. If a child is found to have excess foreskin after a hospital circumcision many parents wish to have it revised for a better cosmetic appearance.

Undescended Testicles:
This condition is rather common and is present in about 1% of all boys. In most cases testicles can be brought down into the scrotum through an incision in the groin. These surgeries are highly successful and performed on an ambulatory basis.

Inguinal Hernia:
These are caused by a slight anatomic abnormality allowing intestines to travel to the groin and possibly the scrotum. Hernias of this kind are found when a bulge is noticed in the groin. The bulge may appear and disappear depending on activity and positioning. This condition is usually repaired through a groin incision. These surgeries are highly successful and performed on an ambulatory basis.

Hydroceles:
This is another common condition, which is present in many newborn boys. It is closely related to the inguinal hernia. The most characteristic symptom of hydroceles is fluid in scrotum that makes the testicles appear large. Depending on activity and positioning, the symptoms could be more or less evident. Most cases of hydroceles are resolved by 12 months of age. However, if they do not resolve by that time, surgical operation is repair. This is another condition, which can be easily repaired through a groin incision. These surgeries are highly successful and performed on an ambulatory basis.

Vesicoureteral reflux:
This condition affects about 1% of pre-pubertal children.

The basic abnormality is the dysfunction of the mechanism that prevents the travel of urine from the bladder back into the ureter and kidney. This can lead to kidney infections (pyelonephritis) and subsequent scarring in the kidney. Long term consequences, if left untreated, could lead to high blood pressure, miscarriages, and kidney failure.

If a child has had even one urinary tract infection, an evaluation to see if this condition exists is mandatory. Most children will outgrow this condition with no consequences if they are monitored with urine cultures, kept on prophylactic antibiotics and have occasional repeated X-Ray studies. If the condition does not resolve on its own, a surgical procedure is performed to reconstruct the deficiency in the mechanism. This surgery has a high expectation of success. This condition tends to run in families. It is recommended that all siblings are evaluated.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ):
Condition where there is a defect in the ureteral segment that does not allow proper urinary drainage. Often this condition leads to hydronephrosis and pain, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, kidney stones and kidney failure. These conditions often occur later in life. Children are usually found to have hydroneophrosis during prenatal sonography, or during imaging for other problems. This condition is surgically curable with a high expectation of success.

Hypospadias:
One of the most common birth defects that involves an abnormally placed urethral opening. Typically, the opening of the water channel is on the underside of the penis at various distances from the tip. In severe cases the child may not be able to urinate standing and may have problems depositing semen into the vagina later in life. These boys should not be circumcised at birth. Modern reconstructive surgeries offer a high likely hood of achieving a satisfactory cosmetic and functional result