Internationally renowned surgeon in Tauranga

An internationally renowned surgeon is in Tauranga operating on young children with "complex paediatric needs".

Urology surgeon Bruce Blyth is on his 20th trip to New Zealand to operate on children aged from one year old.

Mr Blyth was brought to Tauranga by Venturo, a company half owned by the Bay of Plenty DHB and Urology Bay of Plenty Ltd.

Venturo has been bringing surgeons like Mr Blyth to the Bay of Plenty since it was set up in 1993.

Urologist Mark Fraundorfer said bringing international surgeons to operate in Tauranga resulted in many initiatives including keyhole surgery, laser prostate surgery and the introduction of a variety of other new techniques, which keeps Tauranga at the cutting edge.

The partnership also provided the opportunity for local surgeons to learn from world-leading experts.

Urologist, Associate Professor Peter Gilling said Mr Blyth was a world authority in paediatric surgery.

"It's great to have him operating in Tauranga Hospital, where not only do our children with complex surgical needs benefit, but Bay of Plenty doctors are able to observe and learn."

During his visit, Mr Blyth completed hypospadias repairs on children, a congenital condition that occurs in one in 150 births. He was assisted by paediatric urologist Mr Liam Wilson.

In America Mr Blyth completed the hypospadias repair on a daily basis, but in New Zealand, the surgery was less frequent.

Mr Blyth left New Zealand in 1985 and is now based in Denver, Colorado. He is originally from Motueka in the Tasman region of New Zealand.