Originally posted September 7, 2012

After my trip to Pordenone, finally I made it to Brescia, and Dr. Alessandro Marano took me out for dinner to a fantastic restaurant.

The next morning we woke up early to go to the Instituto Clinico Santa Ana for the surgical session. 

There he introduced me to his colleague, Dr. Alessandro Gatti, who was with us all morning. We did three operations. The first was more difficult and I did it, and in the second I assisted Dr. Gatti and in the third I assisted Dr. Marano. They are two great endoscopists and they got it all very fast.

Then I returned to Madrid to rest with my family over the weekend. The summer stayed behind... all the good things pass fast ;-)

Originally posted September 6, 2012

After my visit to Pordenone in July, the local urologists were convinced of the wonders of the GreenLight laser for the treatment of BPH, and this time they asked me to mentor them with their first cases.

We did three morning cases that went very well. Normally in the teaching sessions I try to teach my colleagues two things. Firstly the physics regulating the interaction of laser and prostatic tissue, and the correct application to surgical technique. Secondly, the surgical strategy that allows to perform these procedures safely and efficaciously. Also I am by their side in these first cases to be able to assist them if any problem arises and to confirm that the endpoint of the operation is the best possible.

That same day I took the train to Brescia, where I would participate in another training session the following day.

Originally posted September 5, 2012

Yesterday I performed a live surgery at the World Congress of Endourology that took place in Istanbul, Turkey.

In the same session there were other surgical procedures that were transmitted to the congress auditorium and there I met old friends, like Dr. Martov (Moscow), Dr. Erol (Istanbul), Dr. Aho (Cambridge), and I did new ones, as Dr. Hermann (Germany). We had to operate with different technologies on patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

I had to operate a high risk patient, with a cardiac problem and with a prostate of about 90 cc, that went very well. I showed the capsular localization technique in detail and during the operation I answered to the questions of the expert panel at the auditorium.

It is always an honor to participate in this kind of activity in such important congresses. Live surgery allows us to show the truth of each surgical technique to the audience. I left very happy and satisfied. It was a pity that I had to return immediately to Madrid and I could not stay for the remainder of the congress.

With Tev Aho before departing to Madrid

Originally posted July 30, 2012

Today I received an invitation to perform a live surgery at the second congress "Innovations and Classics in Endourology and Imaging" from the ESUT (European School of Uro-Technology) that will be celebrated in Manheim. This meeting was chosen as this year's popular "Winter forum".

I have been asked to perform a GreenLEP procedure (GreenLight Enucleation of the Prostate). An operation that is generating more and more interest. It will be an honour to participate!

Originally posted July 30, 2012

Yesterday I returned from Quito, Ecuador, after participating at the third congress of the GRILUR (Iberoamerican group of laser in urology), organized by Dr. Ricardo Yépez and Dr. Saskia Suarez at the Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín.

My participation consisted in giving two talks and performing thres live surgeries, two vaporizations and one GreenLEP procedure. The surgical rooms at Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín are amazingly good and allowed for live transmission to the conference room.

There, among other friends, I met Dr. Marcelo Baptistussi, from Brasil. A great expert in endourology for the treatment of stones. He did several cases of flexible ureteroscopy and percutaneous renal surgery, he is a true master of the field.

In sum, a very interesting congress, very well organized and a great opportunity to share knowledge with other international experts. The next year congress of GRILUR probably will take place in Buenos Aires, or if this is not possible, in Lima. I encourage all urologists with interest in laser surgery to join us, they can also join the GRILUR facebook group.

Originally posted July 24, 2012

Yesterday I received the visit of Dr. Ricardo González, from Houston, Texas, at Clínica CEMTRO. Dr. González is one of the most relevant surgeons in GreenLight laser prostatectomy in the US and a very respected urologist at the American Urological Association.

I performed two surgeries, an enucleation and an anatomic PVP and we had a good chance to comment the differences and similarities between our techniques. We had a great time together.

Originally posted July 22, 2012

This weekend I worked at the Hill Clinic in Sofia, Bulgaria. We had an intense surgical session with many operations that went really well.

The connector of the electrical cable of the morcellator's motor got broken and in order to be able to finish the session I had to ask my nurse Vanesa to fly to Sofia with another motor to be able to complete the session.

The operations went really well, and all patients were recovering well when I came back to Madrid.

This is the urology team at Hill Clinic. After almost three years collaborating we can say that we are a very experienced team! 

Originally posted July 13, 2012

I have received an invitation to participate in the 30th World Congress of Endourology that will take place in Istanbul in September. I will have to perform a live operation that will be transmitted live to the audience. I love live surgery!!!

Originally posted July 6, 2012

This time, after sleeping in Venice I went to Pordenone, to visit the Ospedale Santa María Degli Angeli, to train the local urologists in greenlight PVP for the treatment of BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia).

There I operated with my colleagues, Prof. Garbeglio, Dr. Maruzzi, Dr. Ruggera and Maura, the fantastic urology nurse.

We did three operations that took place wonderfully... I think this is my last trip to Italy before the summer, I feel like resting a little!!

Originally posted June 29, 2012

Today I found some time to put my voice to this video on GreenLEP (GreenLight Enucleation of the Prostate). I hope you enjoy it.

Originally posted June 28, 2012

Again we had the pleasure of receiving the visit of Dr. Richard Gaston, from Clínique Saint Agustín in Bordeaux, France. He came to operate with us at Clínica CEMTRO. We did two laparoscopic radical prostatectomies.

Dr Gaston is a true master of laparoscopic surgery and has been coming to operate with us monthly for the last five years to perform radical prostatectomies, nephrectomies and cystectomies.

He told me that they have a GreenLight laser in Bordeaux, and that they will invite me in September to operate with them.

Originally posted June 23, 2012

Again I travelled to Sofia to operate at the Hill Clinic. We had another surgical session where we operated seven patients... I am delighted to see that GreenLEP (GreenLight Enucleation of the Prostate) keeps offering excellent results.

I am very grateful to the help provided at Hill Clinic by Dr. Kochev (right), Bochevski (left) and Georgiev, who is not in the photo. They look after patients when I leave and they are two top urologists in Bulgaria!

Originally posted June 20, 2012

Yesterday we received the visit of two italian urologists Dr. Darvinio Melloni, from Palermo and Dr. Sergio Valenti, from Bérgamo. We also had the pleasure to host Dr. Elbikri, from Morocco.

I did two operations at Clínica CEMTRO to demonstrate the technique of anatomic vaporization of the prostate with the GreenLight XPS laser. The session was very fruitful as we had time to comment on all technical aspects of this operation. Dr. Melloni is an expert with the GreenLight HPS 120 watts and he was impressed with the performance of the new 180 watt laser. I think he also enjoyed the tips and tricks I shared.

Originally posted June 15, 2012

This weekend I went to Casablanca to operate in three hospitals. First I went on friday afternoon to the  Clinique Lina, with Dr. Benani, Dr. Tahiri, Dr. Haisam and Dr. Boueb, I did two anatomic vaporizations with greenlight that went very well.

Then I went to Clinique Massira, with Dr. Touabi and Dr. Bakali, who was trained in Fundació Puigvert in Barcelona. He told me that our common friend Dr. Ricardo Regalado had died some time ago and it was a hard blow for me. I had been time without news from him, but I did not know the cause. He was a good friend and a great person, I was extremely sad to learn this. I also did two surgeries that went out very well.

Finally, I did another case at Clinique Dar Salam, with Dr. Chefchaouni, that was also successful.

On Saturday afternoon I took the opportunity to make a tour around Casablanca, which to me is a city full of contrasts. I was very impressed by Hassan II's Mosk, an amazing building by the sea. Then I returned to Madrid to rest a little on sunday afternoon.

Originally posted June 14, 2012

Today I went to Torino in Italy to visit the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Molinette S. Giovanni Batista, where I had to demonstrate the GreenLight XPS laser to Dr. Fontana and Dr. Ceruti, who prepared four surgical interventions of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The session was very good although we had some challenging cases, as an anticoagulated patient and a patient with a huge prostate. I also did a talk for the urology department. A tough working day, I had great fun.

This department has a lot of experience in Andrology and I enjoyed watching a presentation they showed me on a new technique for penile lengthening with penile implant insertion...

Originally posted June 13, 2012

Today I travelled early to Modena in Italy to participate in a training session at Hospital Hesperia, with Prof. Giovanni Ferrari.

We have done four surgical operations with the GreenLight laser, the last one a challenging case, a huge prostate. Operating out of your own surgical theatre is always a challenge, things change quite a lot, the endoscopic camera is different, some times the quality is good, some other times not so good.

Laser cystoscopes also vary, as does the chair where I sit. There is always some variability to these surgical operations outside home, and it makes me to keep alert. It has always been a wonderful training and it has allowed me to get to know all possible combinations of instruments, camera, etc...

Prof. Ferrari is a great surgeon and a charming colleague. I tried parmesan cheese with home made Modena vinegar, so delicious!!!

Originally posted June 12, 2012

Today I had some free time to add my voice to this video in real time demonstrating an anatomic PVP (Photoselective vaporization of the prostate).

Originally posted June 5, 2012

Today I received the program for the congress on Endourology Prof. Scoffone is organizing in Torino in November. My role will be to perform a live surgery that will be transmitted to the audience, and to sit in a round table. It promises to be a wonderful congress worth attending!!

Originally posted June 5, 2012

Today I spent the morning at the Hospital de La Princesa, in Madrid. In this hospital I trained as a resident many years ago. It has been fantastic to see my old colleagues and to operate in the same operating room.

I have demonstrated the use of the GreenLight 180 watt laser, operating three patients during the morning. Everything worked out perfectly. Dr. Mora organized the session and tried the laser with very good hand.

There I have seen my dearest Drs. Atanasio Fernández Borrell, Fernando Teba del Pino, Ramón Arellano, Mariano Rabadán, Lorenzo herrero, Pedro Albacete, Estefanía Romero. I saw Elena, the secretary of the department, and I also met the new residents.  A fantastic morning that brought back many memories, I spent some fantastic years there, and I learnt so much from all of them!!!

Originally posted May 31, 2012

Today I spent the day with Dr. Pierini, at the Ospedale di Aosta, in Italy.

I enjoyed a lot with a very interesting surgical session in which I performed two operations that underwent really well. I could demonstrate my italian colleagues the versatility of the GreenLight laser for the treatment of BPH. I demonstrated the anatomic vaporization of the prostate as well as the vaporization combined with enucleation of the median lobe. It was a delightful morning.

This italian region has wonderful mountains. I am a little sad to come and go so fast with little time to spend here enjoying this beautiful country.