Richard Schlussel, MD, highlights emerging technologies in pediatric urology

In this video, Richard N. Schlussel, MD, discusses how robotic surgery and artificial intelligence are poised to reshape pediatric urology, highlighting their potential to improve both surgical care and clinical decision-making. Schlussel is a pediatric urologist at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Schlussel identified robotic surgery as one of the most significant areas of growth in pediatric urology, particularly for congenital conditions such as ureteropelvic junction obstruction. He noted that data presented at the 2026 American Urological Association Annual Meeting demonstrated an upward trend in the use of robotic approaches over open surgery for these procedures.¹ Although pediatric urology does not commonly involve the types of robotic oncologic surgeries performed in adults, he believes robotics will continue expanding into pediatric tumor management as well, citing a meeting presentation on minimally invasive robotic nephrectomy for children with Wilms tumor.

Beyond surgical innovation, Schlussel emphasized the growing role artificial intelligence could play in standardizing pediatric urology practice. He observed that even experienced specialists often have widely differing opinions on issues such as the likelihood of spontaneous disease resolution, treatment duration for urinary tract infections, and the need for antibiotics or additional interventions. He suggested that AI-driven analysis could help reduce this variability by providing more evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making.

Looking ahead, Schlussel said AI also has the potential to optimize diagnostic testing by identifying which patients truly require imaging studies or invasive evaluations. By leveraging large datasets, AI could help determine when ultrasounds, radiographic studies, or bladder catheterization are necessary while avoiding unnecessary testing. He believes these advances could improve care while reducing the burden on children and their families.

REFERENCE

1. Siebert AL, Nelson C, Kraft K, Kolon T, Borer J. IP64-02: TEN-YEAR TRAINEE TRENDS FOR OPEN AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE PEDIATRIC PYELOPLASTY IN THE UNITED STATES. J Urol. 2026;215(5S):e1277. doi:10.1097/01.JU.0001191664.04077.0e.02