Introduction: In the centennial year of the Henry Ford Urology Department we examined the many contributions of former Chairman, Dr Arthur Waite Bohne, a progressive surgeon-scientist, in advancing the field of urology.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review concerning the life and works of Dr Arthur Waite Bohne was performed via online search, review of published historical texts and published material on PubMed. Contemporary records held by The Conrad R. Lam medical archives at Henry Ford Hospital were also reviewed.
Results: Arthur Waite Bohne (1914-1998) obtained his MD degree from Washington University at St. Louis in 1939. He served as a captain in the Army Medical Corps during World War II in North Africa, Italy and Germany. Upon his return he trained with eminent urologist Dr. Reed Nesbit at the University of Michigan. He joined Henry Ford Hospital in 1950 and was named associate surgeon-in-charge after Dr Ormond Culp was recruited to the Mayo Clinic. In 1952, he succeeded Dr John Kelso Ormond (of ‘Ormond Syndrome’ fame) as Chief of Urology and held that position until 1970. His pioneering work in bladder regeneration models, initially in animal models (dogs) followed by 7 human ‘trials’ of his plastic mold (around which the new bladder could grow) and a novel distensible rubber bag, all of which could subsequently be removed transurethrally, received national acclaim with Bohne featured in TIME magazine in 1955 describing him as the urologist with the ability for “Muscle grown to order”. To this day his pivotal observations continue to be frequently cited in the tissue bioengineering literature. Bohne was an early adopter of the percutaneous needle kidney biopsy. His published series of 30 patients contributed to the refinement of the technique and understanding its role as a diagnostic tool. He was also among the first to champion the concept of ‘focal prostate therapy’. In 1969, he published a small series of the successful management of nodular prostate cancer via a small perineal incision and electrosurgical excision of the prostate nodule alone. All patients were continent, potent and recurrence free at 9 years of follow up – exemplary outcomes even by today’s standards.
Conclusions: The legacy of Dr Arthur Waite Bohne cannot be overstated. His early contributions to urological innovation paved the way for prostate cancer focal therapy and diagnostic kidney biopsy. His pioneering establishment of bladder regeneration techniques from animal models to in vivo human trials provided the crucial cornerstone for bladder replacement technology, for which he deserves to be recognized for.
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