SKMC efforts toward the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Neurogenic Bladder in Children and Adolescents

Moreover, a one day educational course in urinary incontinence in children and adolescents will be held on 6 March 2009 for the first time in the UAE, in cooperation with the International Children Continence Society (ICCS).

Dr. Atul Mehta, Chief Medical Officer at SKMC, stated that:

"the botulinum toxin A procedure on children will be one of the focuses during the meeting. Our surgeons and the invited faculty of experts, will provide an international, up-to-date perspective on the procedure and its different applications. Our surgeons were the pioneers in using the botulinum toxin A injection into the urinary bladder for children in the UAE."

The Chairman of the International Meeting, Dr. Mario Patricolo, Pediatric Urologist and Surgeon, who has performed the botulinum toxin A procedure on children at SKMC for the first time in the UAE said : "the minimally invasive approach to urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and neurogenic bladder is one of my main interests. In the past, I also developed new models for the antenatal treatment of congenital anomalies."

"At present, we run at SKMC a urodynamic and non-invasive urodynamic clinic. We assigned two days for spina bifida clinics and one bladder dysfunction clinic per month. We deliver minimally invasive treatment of continence for children up to 13 years of age. The minimally invasive treatment of urinary incontinence includes intravesical endoscopic injection of Botulin Toxin A to reduce the overactivity of the neurogenic bladder and the injection of bio-compatible materials at the level of the bladder sphincter to reduce urinary "leak" as well as other procedures like the endoscopic excision of urethral membranes and strictures or urethral dilatation. These procedures are all considered minimally invasive and are performed as day surgery, allowing the children and their families to return home on the same day and to then be followed up in the clinic. The care of bedwetting and constipation is also part of the services provided by the clinics, in selected cases."

Dr. Michel Bussieres, Chair of Institute of Surgery at SKMC, avowed that "SKMC looks forward to provide excelllent care to patients with continence problems, particualrly the most vulnerable ones, in the pediatric and adolescent phase of their life."

The International Meeting Agenda

The terminology, diagnosis, conservative and surgical treatment of the neurogenic bladder in children and adolescents will be discussed in the 1st International Meeting on Diagnosis and Treatment of The Neurogenic Bladder in Children and Adolescents. This includes rehabilitation and home care. Abstracts on neurogenic bladder and its related surgical and medical specialties were submitted by doctors, urotherapists, nurses and physiotherapists involved in the management of incontinence in the neuropathic patient during childhood and adolescence. Different workshops are part of the conference agenda including a workshop on clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) and a workshop on the use of botulin toxin A in neuropathic patients which will provide a global perspective and update regarding this fundamental tool in the management of the neurogenic bladder.

The profile of the meeting includes lectures on specific urologic, pediatric, nephrologic, neurosurgical ,orthopedic, rehabilitation, nursing and physiotherapy subjects, round tables, during which the invited experts will present their work and discuss it with the audience, and last but not least, a large space will be devoted to free oral presentations and free papers.

This Meeting is directed to Urologists and Pediatric Urologists, Pediatric Surgeons and Pediatricians, Rehabilitation Physicians, GP's, Nurses and Physiotherapist, ultimately to anyone who is interested and involved in the active care of Neuropathic Patients with Urinary Incontinence.

Continuous Medical Education (CME)

SKMC is accredited by Health Authority Abu Dhabi to provide continuous medical educations for physicians. This event is an accredited learning activity as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and has been designated for 23 total hours of CME by Health Authority Abu Dhabi and the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.