Paediatric Urology

Researcher

• A/Prof Kiarash Taghavi

The Department of Paediatric Urology at Monash Children’s Hospital is renowned for its innovative and collaborative research efforts at the forefront of paediatric urology. Our extensive networks include national institutions such as Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney and the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, as well as prominent international partners—including Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades in Paris, The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

Current research streams

• Developmental Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics: Investigating disorders of the paediatric bladder, including developmental influences and innovative treatment approaches.
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: Exploring the evolving role of robotic and laparoscopic surgery, and incorporating the latest technology to improve surgical outcomes.
• Health Informatics: Utilizing digital tools and data analytics to enhance patient care, streamline collaboration, and advance research in paediatric urology.
• Urinary Tract Infections and Microbiome: Studying microbiome interactions and developing new therapeutic paradigms for infections and related conditions.
• Patient Experience and Quality of Care: Focusing on improving patient-centered outcomes and overall quality in paediatric urological services.
• Artificial Intelligence in Surgery: Developing AI-driven tools to capture intraoperative data and improve surgical precision and outcomes.
• Surgical Outcomes Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness and safety of procedures such as orchidopexy in infants and children across major hospitals in Victoria.
• Bladder Health Research: Investigating the factors influencing paediatric bladder development, diagnostics, and therapeutic options.
• Long-term Outcomes of Prenatal Conditions: Studying antenatal hydronephrosis and its impact on long-term renal health, including adult pyeloplasty results.
• Innovations in Surgical Techniques: Examining the expanding role of robotic surgery and minimally invasive approaches in paediatric urology.

Research projects are tailored to individual student goals and ambitions,ranging from short-term research placements and BMedSc(Hons) projects to Master’s and PhD programs. This vibrant research environment offers an unparalleled opportunity for trainees to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in paediatric urology.

Selected recent publications

• Szwarcberg, E., Kimber, C., and Taghavi, K. (2025). Safety of 200 IU of intravesical Botox in children of all ages with functional urinary incontinence. Pediatric Surgery International, 41(2), 204.
• Kim, J. K., Yadav, P., Bitcon, C., et al. (2025). Development and international validation of a novel multivariate prognostic tool: Posterior urethral valve risk of chronic kidney disease (PURK) score. Pediatric Nephrology, 40(12), 2267–2276.
• Fay, T., Deshpande, A. V., Blanc, T., Kimber, C., and Taghavi, K. (2025). Paediatric urodynamic studies: Emerging technologies and new frontiers. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 17.
• Ballouhey, Q., Esposito, C., Taghavi, K., Lardy, H., Berte, N., Abbo, O., Leclair, M. D., Garnier, S., Peycelon, M., Hery, G., and Scalabre, A. (2025). Robot-assisted surgery in pediatric patients: Results of a French multicenter study on 1,401 patients. Journal of Pediatric Surgery.
• Blanc, T., Taghavi, K., Glenisson, M., Capito, C., Couloigner, V., Vinit, N., Sarnacki, S. (2025). Robotic surgery in paediatric oncology: Expanding boundaries and defining relevant indications. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 60(3).
• Taghavi, K., Sarnacki, S., Blanc, T., et al. (2024). The rationale for nephron- sparing surgery in unilateral non-syndromic Wilms tumour. Pediatric Nephrology, 39(8), 1023–1032.
• Taghavi, K., Glenisson, M., Loiselet, K., Fiorenza, V., Cornet, M., Capito, C., Vinit, N., Pire, A., and Sarnacki, S. (2024). Robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy: Extended application in children. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 50(12).
• Evans-Barns, H., Mushtaq, I., Michell, I., Kausman, J., Webb, N., and Taghavi, K. (2022). Paediatric kidney transplantation: Towards a framework for pretransplant urological evaluation. Pediatric Transplantation, 26(7), e14299.
• Taghavi, K., O’Hagan, L. A., Hewitt, J. K., and Mouriquand, P.. E. (2022). Defining the role of pre-operative hormonal therapy in hypospadias. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 58(9), 1508–1519.
• O’Hagan, L. A., Larsen, P. D., Nataraja, R. M., Pacilli, M., and Taghavi, K. (2022). Nomogram of paediatric male urethral size: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 18(1), 79–85.
• Kelly, J. H., and Taghavi, K. (2022). Justin H. Kelly and his procedure for bladder exstrophy and epispadias. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 57(2), 314–321.
• Taghavi, K., Dumble, C., Hutson, J. M., and Mushtaq, I. (2021). The bell-clapper deformity of the testis: The definitive pathological anatomy. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 56(8), 1405–1410.