Transition Adolescent Functional Urology in 2024: Current Challenges and into the Future

To report on our experience in establishing a formal transition urology clinic in Victoria, Australia, and review current literature on transition urology processes, as well as identified challenges and future avenues for research and development in the field of transition and adolescent urology.

Paediatric to adult urology transition processes are increasingly reported and supported by the literature; however, to date, there is no consensus on a best model. In 2013, a formal urology transition clinic was established between The Royal Children’s Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Since then, 122 patients have been referred for transition, with the main reasons for referral being spina bifida (n=52), posterior urethral valve (n=11), and exstrophy (n=8). The transition rate success is 90.2%, and 27.3% of patients required reconstructive surgery.

Transition urology is an emerging and important field of urology that requires dedicated multi-disciplinary teams and collaboration to ensure continued care of the congenital urology patient in a patient-driven manner with goals focused on integration and independence. Our local experience results are comparable to global reports and further evidence of the importance of this process.