Pediatric Endourology Techniques

I am honored to provide a foreword to this important text. A decade or two ago, a te- book with this title would have contained a chapter about cystourethroscopy, perhaps one about stone management, and another about diagnostic laparoscopy for the un- scended testis. Scanning the contents for this textbook gives the reader some idea of the creativity and courage of the editor and authors, all of whom have been pioneers in the adaptation of minimally invasive techniques in children. The chapters are arranged by system, making this a valuable and easily navigated reference work. In addition, the format of the chapters is uniform, and the detail allows adaptation of these techniques by anyone with the requisite skill. The audience for a book like this should extend well beyond those with interest and experience in minimally invasive surgical techniques. At this stage in the evolution of pediatric urology, all practitioners should have an understanding of the full range of surgical options available to the children we serve. Once a curiosity or novelty, mi- mally invasive surgery has proven to be the gold standard for nephrectomy, mana- ment of nonpalpable testes, and management of renal and ureteral calculi. Many of the other techniques outlined in this text are likely to become standard approaches as time goes by. This impressive group of international authors, along with many others, will continue to de? ne the forefront of pediatric urological surgery.