Laurence S. Baskin, MD

Clinical Research Interests

Pediatric Urology

Pediatric Urology at UCSF is committed to excellence in patient care. Led by Laurence Baskin, MD the UCSF pediatric team has expertise in all areas of pediatric urologic reconstruction. Genital anomalies such as hypospadias, undescended testicles, hydroceles and hernia are routinely repaired in the outpatient setting in our day surgical center. Baskin has extensive experience in managing common urologic problems such as urinary tract infections, day and night-time incontinence, vesicoureteral reflux, urinary tract dilation and hydronephrosis. More complex urologic diagnoses are also routinely handled, such as exstrophy, intersex, Wilms tumor, and bladder rehabilitation secondary to neurogenic lesions, such as myelomeningocele.

Baskin and his staff take pride in personally performing their own radiologic and urodynamic procedures for those patients with bladder dysfunction, urinary tract infections, hydronephrosis and incontinence. Pediatric Urology at UCSF is recognized nationally and internationally for leadership in urologic research and innovation in pediatric urologic surgeries.

Hypospadias and Genital Reconstruction

Baskin has extensive operative experience in the management of hypospadias and genital reconstruction. He has written extensively on all aspects of this subject. He presently co-directs the American Urological Association postgraduate course on hypospadias, lectures extensively and has produced numerous videos on various hypospadias techniques.

Urinary Tract Reconstruction
(Incontinence, Myelomeningocele/Spina Bifida and Pediatric Tumors)

Baskin has developed a large surgical practice in pediatric urologic reconstruction, involving the treatment of patients with voiding dysfunction, posterior urethral valves, reflux of urine and urologic tumors. He directs the urologic care of a large population of patients with myelomeningocele.

Laboratory Research Interests

Bladder Development

The focus of Baskin's urinary bladder research is on development, with a special emphasis on cellular signaling. The long-term goal of this NIH-funded research is to develop new therapies to treat bladder dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Baskin is specifically interested in how smooth muscle forms in the bladder and how the bladder heals during injury. This work has led to novel experimental techniques to reconstruct the abnormal bladder using an acellular tissue matrix. Baskin has enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Gerald Cunha, PhD. This research has been presented at a myriad of national and international meetings.

Genital Development Encompassing the Center for the Treatment and Study of Hypospadias

The focus of genital research is on normal and abnormal genital development. Recent efforts have concentrated on the increasing incidence of hypospadias and an investigation on endocrine disruptors as a possible etiology. Baskin recently led an international National Institutes of Health funded conference to study this important health problem.

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