The aim of this series is to bring the reader up-to-date data and opinions on the practice of urological surgery. The ten titles published since 1982 have all been concerned with adult urology, with reference to paediatric problems included in some relevant chapters. The addition of this title on paediatric urology is especially welcome because it brings together the important components of the sub-specialty. This book has developed from one of the first of the annual courses in urological sub-specialties provided for trainees in the UK as part of their higher surgical training. But that audience is not the only one at which this book is aimed. In his Preface, Robert Whitaker emphasises the changes over the past ten to fifteen years: this means that any urologist over the age of 45 is already out of date in much of his or her knowledge of paediatric urology - unless there has been a genuine attempt at continuing medical education. Attendance and discussions at meetings and reading of current literature are useful methods of updating our knowledge. However, this book provides a much-needed link with the paediatric urology course and is a splendid reference source for all urologists. Robert Whitaker has gathered together four eminent co-authors to present their material on the main issues in paediatric urology. In keeping with the aims of this series, the data are up to date, the perspectives are contemporary and in every way this is an excellent addition to Clinical Practice in Urology.