Christopher J. Long, MD

Christopher J. Long, MD
Christopher J. Long, MD, is an attending pediatric urologist in the Division of Urology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Areas of Expertise: Hypospadias, Neurogenic bladder and spina bifida, Minimally invasive surgery including robotic and laparoscopic surgery, Pediatric urologic oncology, Complex genitourinary reconstruction, Disorders of sexual development
Locations: Main Campus; Specialty Care, Atlantic County; Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Voorhees

Background

Pediatric Urologist Christopher Long, MD, takes a personalized approach to patient care. He believes treatment starts with an understanding of each patient’s needs and goals.

“I try to spend time in the visit getting to know the family and making this more than a doctor's visit for a specific diagnosis,” explains Dr. Long. “I want each patient, regardless of the number of times I have to see them, or what I have to do for them, to feel as though we've impacted their life in a positive and meaningful way.”

Dr. Long became interested in pediatric urology during his residency training, which was focused primarily on treating adult patients. “Having the ability to treat and help patients across a very diverse set of medical problems, from infancy through adulthood, was very appealing to me,” he explains. “I really enjoy the challenge of such a diverse patient population and find it rewarding to help so many people live better lives.”

One of Dr. Long’s areas of expertise is the treatment of hypospadias, a condition in which the penis has not formed normally. He has been selected to participate on a national committee designed to improve the care of boys with this condition. Much of Dr. Long’s current research focuses on hypospadias surgery and improving the experience of boys and men who have this condition. “Our studies have identified the best approach towards treating boys with the most severe forms of hypospadias. Our studies have the largest number of patients from a single hospital in the world, and this experience will continue to improve the outcomes for our patients,” he explains.

Dr. Long’s research and experience treating hypospadias has led him to share the work being done at CHOP in presentations at national and international meetings in Moscow, Cairo and Frankfurt. “Last year also marked our first of what will be an annual surgical trip to Trinidad, where there is a large need to correct hypospadias for these boys,” he explains. “Because there are so few pediatric urologists in the world, there is a great need for our services as well as an opportunity to share our experiences with other surgeons.”

He also treats patients with neurogenic bladder related to spina bifida. These patients are seen at birth and followed through adulthood. “I really enjoy the lasting relationships I can develop with these families. I first meet them as newborns and get to see them grow into adults, working to make sure their kidneys are safe and they achieve urinary continence. A special bond is formed with families whose children have spina bifida. “

Dr. Long has been active in other areas of research, including neurogenic bladder, minimally invasive surgery and oncology. He performs minimally invasive procedures using laparoscopic and robotic surgery. “I really enjoy seeing the benefits my patients receive from an operation performed through smaller incisions. We are one of the few centers in the U.S. able to perform these complex operations through incisions as small as a half a centimeter.”

The future of pediatric urology is constantly evolving and improving, as Dr. Long states: “At CHOP we dedicate a lot of our time and resources towards constantly improving the care we deliver to patients and their families. As a national leader, we set the bar for patient improvement.”

Advances in personalized medicine will continue to push the envelope in patient care and improve outcomes, says Dr. Long. ”I think patients will undergo very focused blood and urine tests, genetic screening, and possibly even new imaging tests that will identify anatomic concerns for a unique course of action and improve the outcome of their disease. We are already using images from MRI scans to print 3D models to personalize and improve our surgical approach for several procedures. I expect this will be applied across even more diagnoses over time and will help to further individualize care,” he explains.

Individualized medicine and personal care are part of an approach that connects Dr. Long with patients and families and helps them reach the best possible health outcomes.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ

Internship

General Surgery - Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia PA

Residency

General Surgery - Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Urology - Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA

Fellowship

Pediatric Urology - The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Board Certification

Urology

Titles and Academic Titles

Attending Urologist

Assistant Professor of Urology in Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Research Interests

Bladder remodeling
Impact of social stress upon voiding phenotype

Publications

Papers

2017

Long CJ, Chu DI, Tenney RW, Morris AR, Weiss DA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Zderic SA, Kolon TF, Canning DA. Intermediate-term follow up of proximal hypospadias repair reveals high complication rate. Journal of Urology, 2017 Mar; 197:852-858.

Srinivasan AK, Maass D, Shrivastava D, Long CJ, Shukla AR. Is robot-assisted laparoscopic bilateral extravesical ureteral reimplantation associated with greater morbidity than unilateral surgery? A comparative analysis. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 2017 Mar; 17: 88-8.

Chu DI, Zderic SA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Tasian GE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Canning DA, Kolon TF. The natural history of semen parameters in untreated asymptomatic adolescent varicocele patients: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 2017 Feb;13:77.e1-77.

Chu DI, Zderic SA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Tasian GE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Canning DA, Kolon TF. Does varicocelectomy improve semen analysis outcomes in adolescents without testicular asymmetry? Journal of Pediatric Urology, 2017 Feb;13:76.e1-76.

Van Batavia JP, Chu DI, Long CJ, Jen M, Canning DA, Weiss DA. Genitourinary involvement and management in children with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 2017 Feb; 17:82-7. 

2016

Srinivasan AK, Shrivastava D, Kurzweil RE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Shukla AR. Port site local anesthetic infiltration vs single-dose intrathecal opioid injection to control perioperative Pain in children undergoing minimal invasive surgery: A comparative analysis. Urology, 2016 Nov;97:179-183. 

Long CJ, Canning DA. Proximal hypospadias: we aren’t always keeping our promises. F1000Res, 2016 Sep;26:5. 

Long CJ, Canning DA. Hypospadias: Are we as good as we think when we correct proximal hypospadias. Journal of Pediatric Urology, 2016 Aug; 12; 196.e1-196.e5.

Gor RA, Long CJ, Shukla AR, Kirsch AJ, Perez-Grayfield M, Srinivasan AK.  Multi-institutional experience in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS): For major extirpative and reconstructive procedures in pediatric urology. Urology, 2016 Feb; 88:173-8.

2015

Deutsch SA, Long CJ, Srinivasan AK, Wood JN. Child abuse mimic: Avulsion injury in a child with penoscrotal webbing. Pediatric Emergency Care. Pediatric Emergency Care Epub October 1, 2015.

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Kolon TF, Srinivasan AK, Shukla AR.  Pediatric calyceal diverticulum treatment: An experience with endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches. Journal of Pediatric Urology, Epub May 21 2015.

Weiss DA, Butler SJ, Fesi J, Long CJ, Valentino RJ, Canning DA, Zderic SA. Putting the past behind us: Social stress-induced urinary retention can be overcome.  Journal of Pediatric Urology, Epub May 27 2015.

Sterling ME, Long CJ, Bosse KR, Bagatell R, Shukla AR.  A rapid progression of disease after surgical excision of a malignant rhabdoid tumor of the bladder.  Urology Epub Jan. 9, 2015.

2014

Long CJ, Butler S, Fesi J, Frank C, Canning DA, Zderic SA.  Genetic or pharmacologic disruption of the calcineurin-NFAT axis prevents social stress induced voiding dysfunction in a murine model.  Journal of Pediatric Urology Epub S1477, Apr. 14, 2014.

Partridge EA, Canning DA, Long CJ, Peranteau WH, Hedrick JL, Adzick NS, Flake AW. Urologic and anorectal complications of sacrococcygeal teratomas: Prenatal and postnatal predictors.  Journal of Pediatric Surgery 49(1):139-142, Jan. 2014 (Epub Oct. 8, 2014).

Books

Chapters

2015

Long CJ, Austin C, Canning DA. Megaureter. In: Graham SD, Keane TE, editors. Glenn’s Urologic Surgery, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins/Wolters Kluwer, 2015.

Zaontz MR, Long CJ. Vesicoureteral reflux. In: Graham SD, Keane TE, editors. Glenn’s Urologic Surgery, 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins/Wolters Kluwer, 2015.

2014

Long CJ, Canning DA.  Complex UTI in the pediatric patient.  Chap. in Gomella LG (ed.): 5 Minute Urology Consult, Third Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins/Wolters Kluwer, 2014 

Posters and Presentations

Conference Presentations

2015

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK. Predicting the Need for Passive Ureteral Dilation Prior to Ureteroscopic Stone Removal. Presented at: Congress of the European Society for Pediatric Urology; 2015 Oct; Prague Czech Republic.

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK. Are all Pediatric Grade 4 Renal Traumas the Same? Presented at: American Urological Association Annual Meeting; 2015 May; New Orleans, LA.

2014

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Srinivasan AK, Shukla AR. Pediatric Calyceal Diverticulum Treatment: Our Experience with Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Approaches. Presented at: Society for Pediatric Urology Fall Congress; 2014 Oct; Miami, FL.

2013

Long CJ, Frank C, Butler S, Canning D, Valentino R, Zderic SA. Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFAT) c4 Gene Deletion Confers Resistance to Social Stress Induced Voiding Dysfunction. Presented at: American Urological Association Annual Meeting; 2013 May; San Diego, CA.

Long CJ, Frank C, Butler S, Canning D, Valentino R, Zderic SA. Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFAT) c4 Gene Deletion Confers Resistance to Social Stress Induced Voiding Dysfunction. Presented at: European Society for Pediatric Urology; 2013 Apr; Genoa, Italy.

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Canning DA, Carr MC. Narcotic Rescue Is Not Required Post-Operatively in Children ≤1 Year of Age after Penile Surgery with Regional Block: A Prospective Study. Presented at: Society for Fetal Urology at the Pediatric Urology Fall Congress; 2013 Sep; Las Vegas, NV.

Long CJ, Pulido JE, Weiss DA, Tasian GE, Kalmus A, Srinivasan AK, Shukla AR. Urinary Tract Infection after Ureteroscopy: Can We Identify Those Patients at Risk for Infection? Presented at: Society for Fetal Urology at the Pediatric Urology Fall Congress; 2013 Sep; Las Vegas, NV.

Long CJ, Weiss DA, Canning DA. Once a Normal Bladder, Always a Normal Bladder: Bladder Capacity Response to Cycling Post-Transplant. Presented at: Society for Fetal Urology at the Pediatric Urology Fall Congress; 2013 Sep; Las Vegas, NV.

Long CJ, Frank C. Butler S, Canning D, Valentino R, Zderic SA. Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFAT) c4 Gene Deletion Confers Resistance to Social Stress Induced Voiding Dysfunction. Presented at: American Urological Association Annual Meeting; 2013 May; San Diego, CA.

Long CJ, Frank C, Butler S, Canning D, Valentino R, Zderic SA. Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFAT) c4 Gene Deletion Confers Resistance to Social Stress Induced Voiding Dysfunction. Presented at: European Society for Pediatric Urology; 2013 Apr; Genoa, Italy.

2012

Long CJ, Canter DJ, Cronson BA, Kutikov A, Li T, Viterbo R, Chen D, Greenberg RE, Uzzo RG. Partial Nephrectomy for Renal Masses ≥ 7cm is Technically Feasible, Oncologically sound, and Preserves Renal Function. Presented at: American Urological Association Annual Meeting; 2012 May; Atlanta, GA.

Jani SD, Long CJ, Canter DJ, S Maldone MC, Teper E, Chen DYT, Viterbo R, Greenberg RE, Uzzo RG, Kutikov A. Role of Tumor Location and Provider Specialty In Selecting Patients for Percutaneous vs Surgical Cryoablation of the Small Renal Mass. Presented at: Philadelphia Urologic Society, Resident competition; 2011 Mar; Philadelphia, PA.

Lectures by Invitation

2016

Long CJ. Proximal Hypospadias Repair: What Should we Really be Telling our Patients? CHOP Urology Visiting Professorship CME event; 2016 Feb; Philadelphia, PA

2015

Long CJ. Circumcision: Timing, Guidelines, and Controversies. Pediatrics Grand Rounds; 2015 Nov; Reading Hospital.

Long CJ. A Rat Model Comparing Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery and its Impact Upon the Stress Response. CHOP Urology Visiting Professorship CME event; 2015 Feb; Philadelphia, PA.

Awards and Honors

2018, Top Physicians, South Jersey Magazine

2014, Basic Science Prize, Society for Pediatric Urology Fall Congress, Miami, FL (for “Treatment of Socially Stressed Mice with Cyclosporine A Prevents Voiding Dysfunction in Spite of CRG mRNA Upregulation in Barrington’s Nucleus”).

2012, Urologic Care Foundation (formerly AUA Foundation) Research Scholar Program, CHOP (“Calcineurin and NFAT Modulate CTGF Following Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Offer Potential Therapeutic Targets”).

2008, Third Place, Resident Prize Essay Competition, Philadelphia Urological Society (for “Percutaneous vs. Surgical Cryoablation of the Small Renal Mass: Is Efficacy Compromised?).

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

Reviewer

2016, Journal of Urology

2015, Journal of Pediatric Urology

Academic and Institutional Committees

2014-present, Member, Operative and Invasive/Non-Invasive Procedure Committee, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

2012-present, Society for Pediatric Urology (candidate member)

2007-present, American Urological Association