Paediatric Urology
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Paediatric Urology at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital's Paediatric Urology department is one of the busiest in the UK and treats the full range of paediatric urological conditions, including bladder exstrophy, cloaca, DSD, posterior urethral valves, prune belly syndrome and more.
The department has three consultant surgeons trained in robotic surgery and is also an accredited training centre for European (FEAPU) and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS England) post-CCT paediatric urology fellowships.
Research is widespread across the department, with studies into the genetics of bladder exstrophy, long-term outcomes of surgery for congenital hyperplasia, randomised controlled study of the management of varicocele, safety and efficacy of robotic surgery, and preclinical studies into bladder tissue engineering solutions.
Fellowships and observerships at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital provide international clinicians with structured opportunities to experience high quality healthcare training within a leading NHS environment. Both pathways offer consultant oversight, a clear induction, and access to modern clinical settings that support a strong understanding of advanced patient care. Participants are welcomed into a professional community that encourages learning, collaboration, and engagement with the culture of Manchester.
While fellows take part in more in depth clinical development, gaining exposure to subspecialties, procedures and research, observers focus on shadowing and understanding multidisciplinary practice within NHS services. Both groups benefit from involvement in clinics, team discussions, and wider learning activities such as simulation sessions, CPD opportunities, and quality improvement insight.
Academic contributions
The Paediatric Urology department has an active academic portfolio, contributing to national and international research, scientific presentations, and innovation in paediatric urology.
Explore our work:
Rare and complex cases
- Bladder exstrophy / epispadias / cloacal exstrophy
- Cloaca
- Spina bifida
- Disorders of sexual differentiation e.g. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Prune belly syndrome
- Posterior urethral valves
- Renal stones
Why Manchester?
Manchester is a city of innovation and progress, renowned as the world’s first industrial city and still leading in science, healthcare, and technology. With excellent transport links and a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere, it offers an inclusive environment for learning and professional growth.
Beyond your placement, Manchester offers something for everyone - from watching the iconic Manchester derby to exploring world-class museums and galleries. With vibrant music, sport, and culture, the city truly has it all. Combining heritage and modernity, it creates a unique setting for personal enrichment and memorable experiences whilst you develop professionally.
Meet our expert supervisors
Our supervisors are experienced consultant surgeons within Paediatric Urology, each with extensive expertise in managing both common and highly complex conditions. The team combines advanced clinical practice, including robotic surgery, with active involvement in research and training, providing expert supervision and mentorship for all visiting professionals.
Dr
David Keene
Mr David Keene is a Consultant Paediatric Urologist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. He trained in paediatric surgery across leading UK centres and completed a dedicated paediatric urology fellowship in Manchester and Leeds. His specialist interests include bladder exstrophy, hypospadias, adolescent varicocele, and complex reconstructive urology, and he is part of the Manchester Exstrophy Unit, one of the busiest centres in Europe.
Professor
R. Maximilian Cervellione
Professor R. Maximilian Cervellione is a Consultant Paediatric Urologist and Clinical Lead at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. He leads the nationally commissioned Bladder Exstrophy Service and is an internationally recognised expert in complex paediatric urological reconstruction, including bladder exstrophy, hypospadias and varicocele. He is also actively involved in research, education and fellowship training
Dr
Anju Goyal
Ms Anju Goyal is a Consultant Paediatric Urologist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. She trained in paediatric surgery in India and the UK and specialises in paediatric urology, with a focus on genito-urinary reconstruction, including DSD and cloacal anomalies, and laparoscopic surgery. She is also the Lead Clinician for functional and neuropathic urinary incontinence services.
Our signature programmes
Fellowships
Paediatric Urology
The Paediatric Urology department at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital offers a structured two-year fellowship programme within an accredited training centre for European (FEAPU) and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS England) post-CCT fellowships.
The programme is designed to provide fellows with comprehensive exposure to the management of paediatric urological conditions, including both common presentations and highly complex cases. Fellows will gain progressive responsibility in clinical and operative practice, supported by experienced consultant supervisors.
Fellows will be exposed to a broad range of procedures, with opportunities to develop competency in core techniques as well as gain experience in specialist and complex surgical interventions.
Objectives
By the end of the two-year fellowship programme, fellows will:
- Achieve advanced practitioner level in the management of common paediatric urological conditions.
- Develop strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
- Build skills across sub-specialty areas.
- Practice with integrity, respect and compassion.
Fellows will also be expected to lead operative management and demonstrate appropriate judgement in seeking senior support where required.
Learning outcomes
Fellows completing the 2-year programme will be expected to be competent to perform (Skill Level 4):
Pyeloplasty; nephrectomy & partial nephrectomy; bladder augmentation; operative ablation of valves; urethroplasty / complex hypospadias repair; operative relief of urinary obstruction (e.g. stent insertion) and diversion procedures; reimplantation of ureters / STING; operative management of impalpable testis; male external genital / groin procedures; vascular and peritoneal access for renal insufficiency; endourological surgery; and urodynamic studies.
Fellows will also be expected to have exposure (Skill Level 3 or 4):
Closure of bladder exstrophy (specialist centre); epispadias repair (specialist centre); incontinence surgery including bladder neckplasty, sling and urethral sphincter insertion; genitoplasty; management of renal calculi; transplantation; and adrenal or retroperitoneal tumours surgery.
Eligibility
Required criteria:
- Postgraduate Qualification: Applicants must hold an overseas-recognised postgraduate medical qualification (MD, MS, Masters) in the relevant specialty.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in the specialty (or a related specialty) within the last 5 years, including at least 12 months of continuous practice before applying.
- Training Level: Equivalent to ST5 or above, or post-CCT clinicians seeking subspecialty exposure.
- Language Proficiency: IELTS Academic with 7.0 in each band and overall 7.5, or OET Medicine with Grade B in all domains (certificate valid within 24 months).
- Registration: GMC registration is required. We can support with sponsorship if needed.
- Other :
- Must not have failed PLAB exams previously.
- Visa sponsorship only through approved routes; self-funded visas outside agreed schemes are excluded.
Desirable criteria includes:
- Experience in neonatology, paediatric intensive care, paediatric surgery, adult urology, or general surgery.
- Evidence of involvement in audit, teaching, governance, and research.
- Presentations at national or international forums.
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills, with initiative and IT skills.
- Career progression consistent with personal circumstances .
- Membership of relevant specialty associations (e.g. BAPU, ESPU).
- Evidence of further interest in paediatric urology through projects, presentations, or publications.
Observerships
Paediatric Urology
The Paediatric Urology department offers observership placements between 4 and 12 weeks, providing exposure to a range of paediatric urological conditions, including rare and complex cases managed within a specialist centre at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Observers will have the opportunity to observe clinical practice across the service, including outpatient activity and operative practice.
Objectives
The objective of the observership programme is to gain insight into the management of paediatric urological conditions within a specialist service and to understand the range of work undertaken within the department.
Observers will be expected to:
- Observe clinical practice across the department.
- Gain exposure to outpatient and operative activity.
- Engage with the service and its clinical workflow.
Learning outcomes
Each observer will have learning outcomes pre-agreed with their supervisor, based on their individual experience, requirements and aspirations.
Observers will:
- Gain insight into the assessment and management of paediatric urological conditions.
- Develop awareness of rare and complex cases managed within a specialist centre.
- Observe clinical and operative practice across paediatric urology services.
Eligibility
Required criteria:
- Applicants must hold a valid visa that permits them to be in the UK (e.g. visitor visa, work visa or PLAB visa).
- Applicants must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership scheme.
Academic contributions
Scientific Presentations
1. Randomised controlled study of early surgery versus conservative management in teenage varicocele patients (Abstract submitted to ESPU 2026)
2. Comparison of outcomes between traction and Fowler Stephens management of intra-abdominal testes (BAPES 2025 & BAPU 2025)
3. Audit of outcomes of ureteric reimplantation (BAPES 2025)
4. Audit of robotic vs laparoscopic pyeloplasty early experience (BAPES 2025)
5. Audit of outcomes of subperiosteal tendon allograft reconstruction of pubic symphysis in BLEX (ESPU 2025)
6. Bladder patch tissue engineering research (Abstract submitted to ESPU 2026)
7. Prospective study of first 60 robotic surgery cases in children using the Versius system (BAPU 2025 & ESPU 2025)
8. International Symposium on Pediatric Surgical Research, Stockholm (2024): pyelo‑ureteral magnetic anastomosis device and bladder matrix research
9. Hungarian Association of Pediatric Surgeons Congress: invited speaker – bladder exstrophy
10. GENRALT – collaboration with genetics for rare paediatric urology conditions
Publications
1. Mariotto A, Keene JD, Bendon AA et al. One-hundred-fifteen consecutive bladder exstrophies successfully closed in a single nationally commissioned centre. J Pediatr Urol. 2025.
2. Mariotto A, Keene DJ, Alshafei AR et al. Bladder Neck Surgery is not Routinely Needed to Achieve Urinary Continence in Patients with Primary Epispadias. J Pediatr Surg. 2024.
3. Keene DJ, Jackson R, Batra G et al. Pre-vascularisation of the acellular bladder matrix using the omentum in a porcine model prior to bladder reconstruction – a step towards clinical application? Pediatr Surg Int. 2024.
4. Kenawey M, Morakis E, Keene D et al. Subperiosteal Tunneled Allograft Reconstruction of the Symphyseal Ligaments (STARS) in Bladder Exstrophy Epispadias Complex. J Pediatr Orthop. 2024.
5. Kubiak R, Hornok Z, Csukas D et al. Feasibility and Challenges of Pyeloureteral Magnetic Anastomosis Device in Domestic Pigs: A Stepwise Approach with Extended Observation. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2025.
6. Hennayake S, Gopal M, Seleim HM et al. Repair of the Bulbospongiosus Muscle to Suspend the Penis to the Pubic Bones in Proximal Hypospadias. J Pediatr Surg. 2025.
7. Hennayake S, Goyal A, Cserni T et al. Transformation of the female genitalia in congenital adrenal hyperplasia: MRI study. J Pediatr Urol. 2023.
8. Mariotto A, Cserni T, Marei M et al. Bladder salvage in children with congenital lower urinary tract malformations undergoing renal transplant. J Pediatr Urol. 2023.
9. Hennayake S, Cervellione R et al. Commentary: Symptomatic corpus spongiosum defect in adolescents and young adults following distal hypospadias repair. J Pediatr Urol. 2023.
10. Hornok Z, Ferencz A, Kubiak R et al. Cheap and clean dry balloon training model for laparoscopic pyeloplasty. J Pediatr Urol. 2023.
11. Hornok Z, Kubiak R, Csukas D et al. Esophageal Magnetic Anastomosis Device (EMAD) to improve outcomes in thoracoscopic repair of oesophageal atresia: a proof of concept study. J Pediatr Surg. 2023.
12. Mohamed A et al. Two-stage Fowler-Stephens orchidopexy in management of undescended testes: a UK multi-centre retrospective study. Journal of Pediatric Surgery.