Sir Denis Browne: Contributions to Pediatric Urology

PurposeSir 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.Material and methodsWe reviewed the original publications, historical records and medical literature on Denis Browne and his contributions to urology.ResultsSir 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.ConclusionsSir Denis Browne was an innovator and nonconformist with regard to the traditional teaching and practice of pediatric surgery and urology of his day. His innovations in surgical theory, technique and instrumentation resulted in major contributions to the advancement of urology as well as pediatric surgery.