Though ostensibly narrow, pediatric urology is a rather broad field, encompassing a wide range of medical and surgical disorders. Surgical maneuvers are usually either ablative (i.e. removing things) or reconstructive (i.e. fixing things). Plastic surgery is the art of fixing soft tissue problems, as opposed to boney problems, which are within the sphere of orthopedists. A large portion of pediatric urology deals with reconstruction of congenital and acquired malformations of the genitalia, essentially genital plastic surgery. Many of the techniques used in pediatric urology were either developed or inspired by plastic surgeons who worked before the field of pediatric urology existed. In some parts of the world, genital plastic surgery has remained within the realm of plastic surgery, and modern American plastic surgeons typically receive some training in and are tested on genital reconstruction during their board examinations.

Dr. Schaeffer is the only surgeon in the United States with formal training and certification in pediatric urology and plastic surgery. This training allows him to bring the skills and perspectives of both specialties to the bedside when treating patients.