Skip to main content
Anthony J. Schaeffer
( out of 32 reviews )

Anthony J. Schaeffer, MD, MPH

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Urology
801-662-5555

Primary Children's Hospital Outpatient Services at Riverton

801-662-5555
  • As a pediatric urologists, Dr. Schaeffer specializes in diagnosing, managing, and repairing congenital birth defects and acquired conditions involving the male and female urinary and reproductive systems in children from pregnancy to 18 years. He performs surgery on the adrenal glands, kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, penis, testicles, and the inguinal canal. Specific conditions he manages include swelling of the kidneys (hydronephrosis as a result of “UPJ” or “UVJ” obstruction), kidney stones, involuntary urinary leakage (urinary incontinence), Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), reversed flow of urine from the bladder to the kidney (VesicoUreteral Reflux or VUR), poorly functioning bladders as a result of brain or spinal cord problems (neurogenic bladder), undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), swelling of the inguinal canal and/or scrotum (inguinal hernia and hydrocele), and penile curvature (chordee).

    Dr. Schaeffer has extensive training from several of the world's foremost experts in complex urinary reconstruction. This experience has led to a strong interest in repairing the most complex genital and urinary birth defects in boys and girls. These conditions include the diagnosis, surgical repair, and long term management of genital ambiguity (Disorders of Sexual Differentiation (DSD), formerly known as intersex conditions), improperly formed urethras (hypospadias and epispadias), and major bladder reconstructions for those born with an open (bladder exstrophy) or poorly functioning (neurogenic) bladders.

    Dr. Schaeffer believes that the care of one can lead to improved care for other future patients. Accordingly, he asks many patients to become involved with research that seeks to decrease the costs, improve the access, and better the outcomes of all patients.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Urology (Sub: Pediatric Urology)

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 32 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety.
    Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    August 24, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    He is a phenomenal doctor. He has taken great care for my son and makes me feel confident in his care.

    July 27, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Very professional, caring, explained everything

    July 11, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Seriously amazing. Very thorough and efficient, took the time to explain and brought a picture to help visualize and discuss the situation. Very invested in patient care and very knowledgeable.

    May 22, 2023
    RIVERTON CLINICS

    He explains everything clearly. Answered all our questions. Was also respectful of our time. Couldn't ask for more from a doctor.

    May 11, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr Schaeffer was approachable with my son and very clear that he needed surgery. The fellow did most of the visit and the explaining and it wasnt clear the doctor would even weigh in unless we had asked. My son had a lot of anxiety about the appointment and we had discussed that the provider was male in advance, which helped him get ready for the appointment. The fellow was female, which was totally fine, but no one told us when we checked in or in the room before so we didnt have time to discuss with him.

    April 05, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Muy buena atencin

    April 01, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Best surgeon ever!!! It's easy to be over stressed when your child's health is involved, but he took that stress away; he was confident, answered all our questions, and was straight forward with us. He is more than a surgeon, he is a hero every day and should be recognized as one!

    March 08, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Me guta mucho como expica

    January 25, 2023
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr. Schaeffer is extremely patient and kind in helping us understand all the complicated matters concerning our case. He never makes us feel rushed or like we are a box to be checked off.

  • As a pediatric urologists, Dr. Schaeffer specializes in diagnosing, managing, and repairing congenital birth defects and acquired conditions involving the male and female urinary and reproductive systems in children from pregnancy to 18 years. He performs surgery on the adrenal glands, kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, penis, testicles, and the inguinal canal. Specific conditions he manages include swelling of the kidneys (hydronephrosis as a result of “UPJ” or “UVJ” obstruction), kidney stones, involuntary urinary leakage (urinary incontinence), Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), reversed flow of urine from the bladder to the kidney (VesicoUreteral Reflux or VUR), poorly functioning bladders as a result of brain or spinal cord problems (neurogenic bladder), undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), swelling of the inguinal canal and/or scrotum (inguinal hernia and hydrocele), and penile curvature (chordee).

    Dr. Schaeffer has extensive training from several of the world's foremost experts in complex urinary reconstruction. This experience has led to a strong interest in repairing the most complex genital and urinary birth defects in boys and girls. These conditions include the diagnosis, surgical repair, and long term management of genital ambiguity (Disorders of Sexual Differentiation (DSD), formerly known as intersex conditions), improperly formed urethras (hypospadias and epispadias), and major bladder reconstructions for those born with an open (bladder exstrophy) or poorly functioning (neurogenic) bladders.

    Dr. Schaeffer believes that the care of one can lead to improved care for other future patients. Accordingly, he asks many patients to become involved with research that seeks to decrease the costs, improve the access, and better the outcomes of all patients.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Primary
    Academic Divisions Urology
    Board Certification
    American Board of Urology (Sub: Pediatric Urology)

    Education history

    Fellowship Pediatric Urology - Boston Children’s Hospital Fellow
    Clinical Effectiveness - Harvard School of Public Health M.P.H.
    Chief Resident Urology - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Brady Urological Institute Chief Resident
    Urology - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Brady Urological Institute Resident
    Internship Surgery - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Intern
    Medicine - University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine M.D.
    Research Fellow Cancer Research - National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute Research Fellow
    German - Northwestern University B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Malhotra NR, Schaeffer AJ, Slade AD, Cartwright PC, Lau GA (2020). Post-hypospadias urethrocutaneous fistulae: no difference in repair success between proximal and distal fistulae. Can J Urol, 27(6), 10466-10470. (Read full article)
    2. Malhotra NR, Kuhlthau KA, Rosoklija I, Migliozzi M, Nelson CP, Schaeffer AJ (2020). Children's experience with daytime and nighttime urinary incontinence - A qualitative exploration. J Pediatr Urol, 16(5), 535.e1-535.e8. (Read full article)
    3. Schaeffer AJ, Cartwright PC, Lau GA, Ebert MD, Fino NF, Nkoy FL, Hess R (2020). Utilization of Radiographic Imaging for Infant Hydronephrosis over the First 12 Months of Life. Adv Urol, 2020, 2108362. (Read full article)
    4. Anderson RE, Hanson HA, Lowrance WT, Redshaw J, Oottamasathien S, Schaeffer A, Johnstone E, Aston KI, Carrell DT, Cartwright P, Smith KR, Hotaling JM (2017). Childhood Cancer Risk in the Siblings and Cousins of Men with Poor Semen Quality. J Urol, 197(3 Pt 2), 898-905. (Read full article)
    5. McNamara ER, Kurtz MP, Schaeffer AJ, Logvinenko T, Nelson CP (May 2015). Morbidity after augmentation enterocystoplasty and appendicovesicostomy: A NSQIPP analysis. J Pediatr Urol, 11(4), 209e1-6.
    6. McNamara ER, Schaeffer AJ, Logvinenko T, Seager C, Rosoklija I, Nelson CP, Retik AB, Diamond DA, Cendron MA (May 2015). Management of proximal hypospadias with 2-Stage repair: 20 year experience. J Urol, 194(4), 1080-5.
    7. Schaeffer AJ, Sood S, Logvinenko T, Rivera-Castro G, Rosoklija I, Chow JS, Nelson CP (2014). Variation in the documentation of findings in pediatric voiding cystourethrogram. Pediatr Radiol, 44(12), 1548-56. (Read full article)
    8. Schaeffer AJ, Johnson EK, Logvinenko T, Graham DA, Borer JG, Nelson CP (2014). Practice patterns and resource utilization for infants with bladder exstrophy: a national perspective. J Urol, 191(5), 1381-8. (Read full article)
    9. Massanyi EZ, Shah B, Schaeffer AJ, DiCarlo HN, Sponseller PD, Gearhart JP (2013). Persistent vesicocutaneous fistula after repair of classic bladder exstrophy: a sign of failure? J Pediatr Urol, 9(6 Pt A), 867-71. (Read full article)
    10. Schaeffer AJ, Stec AA, Baradaran N, Gearhart JP, Mathews RI (2013). Preservation of renal function in the modern staged repair of classic bladder exstrophy. J Pediatr Urol, 9(2), 169-73. (Read full article)
    11. Preece JP, Schaeffer AJ, Suson KD (2013). Pre-sacrococcygeal teratoma as an unusual cause of neonatal bladder outlet obstruction. 24(3), 13.
    12. Schaeffer AJ, Yenokyan G, Alcorn K, Furth SL, Diener-West M, Wu AW, Gearhart JP, Dodson JL (2012). Health related quality of life in adolescents with bladder exstrophy-epispadias as measured by the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87. J Urol, 188(5), 1924-9. (Read full article)
    13. Baradaran N, Stec AA, Schaeffer AJ, Gearhart JP, Mathews RI (2012). Delayed primary closure of bladder exstrophy: immediate postoperative management leading to successful outcomes. Urology, 79(2), 415-9. (Read full article)
    14. Stec AA, Baradaran N, Schaeffer AJ, Gearhart JP, Matthews RI (2012). The modern staged repair of classic bladder exstrophy: a detailed postoperative management strategy for primary bladder closure. J Pediatr Urol, 8(5), 549-55.
    15. Schaeffer AJ, Stec AA, Purves JT, Cervellione RM, Nelson CP, Gearhart JP (2011). Complete primary repair of bladder exstrophy: a single institution referral experience. J Urol, 186(3), 1041-6. (Read full article)
    16. Ross AE, Marchionni L, Phillips TM, Miller RM, Hurley PJ, Simons BW, Salmasi AH, Schaeffer AJ, Gearhart JP, Schaeffer EM (2011). Molecular effects of genistein on male urethral development. J Urol, 185(5), 1894-8. (Read full article)
    17. Schaeffer AJ, Feng Z, Trock BJ, Mathews RI, Neu AM, Gearhart JP, Matlaga BR (2011). Medical comorbidities associated with pediatric kidney stone disease. Urology, 77(1), 195-9. (Read full article)
    18. Matlaga BR, Schaeffer AJ, Novak TE, Trock BJ (2010). Epidemiologic insights into pediatric kidney stone disease. Urol Res, 38(6), 453-7. (Read full article)
    19. Schaeffer AJ, Handa SE, Lingeman JE, Matlaga BR (2008). Transsplenic percutaneous nephrolithotomy. J Endourol, 22(11), 2481-4. (Read full article)
    20. Schaeffer AJ, Purves JT, King JA, Sponseller PD, Jeffs RD, Gearhart JP (2008). Complications of primary closure of classic bladder exstrophy. J Urol, 180(4 Suppl), 1671-4; discussion 1674. (Read full article)
    21. Zorn KC, Orvieto MA, Mikhail AA, Gofrit ON, Lin S, Schaeffer AJ, Shalhav AL, Zagaja GP (2007). Effect of prostate weight on operative and postoperative outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Urology, 69(2), 300-5. (Read full article)
    22. Schaeffer AJ, Chung J, Heretis K, Wong A, Ledbetter DH, Lese Martin C (2004). Comparative genomic hybridization-array analysis enhances the detection of aneuploidies and submicroscopic imbalances in spontaneous miscarriages. Am J Hum Genet, 74(6), 1168-74. (Read full article)
    23. Schaeffer AJ, Nguyen M, Liem A, Lee D, Montagna C, Lambert PF, Ried T, Difilippantonio MJ (2004). E6 and E7 oncoproteins induce distinct patterns of chromosomal aneuploidy in skin tumors from transgenic mice. Cancer Res, 64(2), 538-46. (Read full article)
    24. Qian Y, Sensibar JA, Zelner DJ, Schaeffer AJ, Finlay JA, Rittenhouse HG, Lee C (1997). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis detects prostate-specific antigen-alpha1-antichymotrypsin complex in serum but not in prostatic fluid. Clin Chem, 43(2), 352-9. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Schaeffer AJ, Diamond DA (2014). Pediatric Urinary Incontinence: Classification, Evaluation, and Management. Afr J Urol. 20(1):1-13, 2014. [Review]. Afr J Urol, 20(1), 1-13.
    2. Schaeffer AJ, Burnett AL (2012). Nonsurgical interventions for Peyronie disease: 2011 update. [Review]. J Androl, 33(1), 3-14. (Read full article)

    Abstract

    1. Schaeffer AJ, Gearhart JP, Matlaga BR (2010). Percutaneous cystolithopaxy following complex lower urinary tract reconstruction: the role of CT-guided access [Abstract]. American Urological Association.