Dr. Gursev Sandlas
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon
Dr. Gursev Sandlas is a renowned Consultant Pediatric Surgeon at American Hospital Dubai, specializing in reconstructive pediatric urology and robotic surgery for children. He completed his MBBS at Grant Medical College and Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, in 2001, followed by a residency in general surgery at Sion Hospital from 2003-2006. He further specialized with an MCH in pediatric surgery at Sion Hospital from 2007-2010. Following this, Dr. Gursev continued his work at Sion Hospital for another year before moving on to a significant role as an Assistant Professor at TN Medical College in Mumbai from 2011- 2015. During his tenure, he was awarded a scholarship to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. This fully-funded observer ship exposed him to advanced techniques in reconstructive pediatric urology, particularly hypospadias and related conditions.
In 2015, Dr. Gursev took on the role of Chief of Department and Consultant Pediatric Surgeon at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Always striving for innovation, he completed a mini-fellowship in robotic pediatric urology in 2016 at Chicago University Hospital under Dr. Mohan Gundeti, a pioneer in the field. This experience empowered him to establish India's first comprehensive robotic pediatric surgery program.
His expertise and leadership in robotic pediatric surgery led them to a new chapter in August 2022, when he joined the American Hospital Dubai. He is recognized for pioneering robotic pediatric surgery programs in India and the UAE, focusing on complex reconstructive procedures and minimally invasive techniques. Balancing his time between Dubai and Mumbai, Dr. Gursev continues to drive advancements in pediatric surgery, dedicating 15-20 days each month to his practice in Dubai while maintaining their commitments in Mumbai.
Dr. Gursev's, motivation stemmed from his general surgery residency, where he frequently handled pediatric trauma cases and realized a preference for working with children. Early in his surgical career, he developed a keen interest in reconstructive pediatric urology, recognizing a lack of dedicated professionals in this field in India. Specializing in pediatric surgery, Dr. Gursev focused on reconstructive pediatric urology, which now constitutes 90-95 percent of their workload. He was among the early adopters of robotic surgery for children, influenced by his mentor, Dr. Gundeti. Today, Dr. Gursev is distinguished by his near-exclusive focus on this specialty, leading advanced robotic programs in two countries.
"The most challenging aspects of pediatric urology, in my experience, are the lack of public awareness and the insufficient referral system among primary physicians. Pediatric urology is very different from adult urology, primarily involving reconstructive work for young children with birth defects, whereas adult urology focuses on excisional procedures. The technical challenges of operating on very young patients add another layer of complexity. Additionally, a significant portion of my work involves correcting complications from previous surgeries, highlighting the critical need for specialized expertise in this field”, emphasizes Dr. Gursev.
Tailored Approaches & Transformative Surgeries
With his extensive expertise as a pediatric urologist, Dr. Gursev Sandlas reflects on significant advancements in the field over his career. Starting with a background in open surgeries, he recognized early on the ethical concerns of leaving large scars on children. Embracing laparoscopic surgery as a more patient-friendly alternative, he transitioned swiftly to adopting robotic surgery after witnessing its potential during a visit to Columbus, Ohio in 2013. Dr. Gursev believes robotics has revolutionized pediatric urology by enabling complex reconstructions with enhanced precision and reduced postoperative discomfort. He attributes technological advancements to making surgeries safer, less painful, and promoting quicker recovery times.
In pediatric urology, Dr. Gursev emphasizes personalized treatment plans tailored to each child's unique needs, considering factors like age, weight, and financial constraints. He advocates for minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopy when feasible, balancing effectiveness with cost considerations compared to robotic surgery. Medication choices are carefully managed due to children's immature organ development, prioritizing minimal use to mitigate potential risks.
Reflecting on a challenging case, Dr. Gursev recalls a 12-year-old boy from Surat with severe hypospadias and multiple failed surgeries. Despite initial doubts, he successfully reconstructed the genitalia using buccal mucosa grafting in a two-stage procedure. This innovative approach, adapted amid logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately restored the boy's health, alleviating pain and recurrent infections. Such cases highlight the transformative impact of pediatric urology, underscoring Dr. Gursev's, dedication to improving patient's lives through advanced surgical solutions.
“My advice to aspiring urologists, especially in pediatric urology, is to focus diligently on mastering the fundamentals. A solid understanding of diseases leads to better decision making and outcomes. Surgery is a skill that improves with practice, but the key lies not just in performing surgeries well, but in making informed decisions about when surgery is necessary. Learning from every opportunity and being humble are essential. Remember, as my mentors taught me, knowing when not to operate is often as crucial as knowing when to operate”, concludes Dr. Gursev.
The most challenging aspects of pediatric urology, in my experience, are the lack of public awareness & the insufficient referral system among primary physicians
"The most challenging aspects of pediatric urology, in my experience, are the lack of public awareness and the insufficient referral system among primary physicians. Pediatric urology is very different from adult urology, primarily involving reconstructive work for young children with birth defects, whereas adult urology focuses on excisional procedures. The technical challenges of operating on very young patients add another layer of complexity. Additionally, a significant portion of my work involves correcting complications from previous surgeries, highlighting the critical need for specialized expertise in this field”, emphasizes Dr. Gursev.
Tailored Approaches & Transformative Surgeries
With his extensive expertise as a pediatric urologist, Dr. Gursev Sandlas reflects on significant advancements in the field over his career. Starting with a background in open surgeries, he recognized early on the ethical concerns of leaving large scars on children. Embracing laparoscopic surgery as a more patient-friendly alternative, he transitioned swiftly to adopting robotic surgery after witnessing its potential during a visit to Columbus, Ohio in 2013. Dr. Gursev believes robotics has revolutionized pediatric urology by enabling complex reconstructions with enhanced precision and reduced postoperative discomfort. He attributes technological advancements to making surgeries safer, less painful, and promoting quicker recovery times.
In pediatric urology, Dr. Gursev emphasizes personalized treatment plans tailored to each child's unique needs, considering factors like age, weight, and financial constraints. He advocates for minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopy when feasible, balancing effectiveness with cost considerations compared to robotic surgery. Medication choices are carefully managed due to children's immature organ development, prioritizing minimal use to mitigate potential risks.
Reflecting on a challenging case, Dr. Gursev recalls a 12-year-old boy from Surat with severe hypospadias and multiple failed surgeries. Despite initial doubts, he successfully reconstructed the genitalia using buccal mucosa grafting in a two-stage procedure. This innovative approach, adapted amid logistical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately restored the boy's health, alleviating pain and recurrent infections. Such cases highlight the transformative impact of pediatric urology, underscoring Dr. Gursev's, dedication to improving patient's lives through advanced surgical solutions.
“My advice to aspiring urologists, especially in pediatric urology, is to focus diligently on mastering the fundamentals. A solid understanding of diseases leads to better decision making and outcomes. Surgery is a skill that improves with practice, but the key lies not just in performing surgeries well, but in making informed decisions about when surgery is necessary. Learning from every opportunity and being humble are essential. Remember, as my mentors taught me, knowing when not to operate is often as crucial as knowing when to operate”, concludes Dr. Gursev.
