Two-Day En Bloc HoLEP Course in Mexico

I am starting a two-day course on En Bloc HoLEP in Guadalajara, Mexico. The course is organized in collaboration with @EndouroPaco, Richard Wolf GmbH, Quanta System, and ICUAurologia.

We will focus on the practical application of the En Bloc technique using the Quanta System laser. Participants will learn the specific steps of enucleation and morcellation. The training covers surgical details and laser settings required for this approach. I will be present throughout the two days to demonstrate the procedure and debate with other experts from the regionn. This session allows urologists to observe the method directly in the operating room. The schedule includes both theory and hands-on practice.

Three-month visit by Dr. Wilmer Soliz

Dr. Wilmer Soliz spent three months with us at ICUAurologia and Hill Clinic. He has now returned to Buenos Aires. During this period, he worked alongside our team. Dr. Norberto Bernardo was also involved in the coordination. Dr. Soliz is an excellent urologist.

We maintained professional contact throughout his stay. I consider him a new friend. The visit proceeded without issues. He is practicing independently again now. The collaboration ended successfully. We will continue to be in touch!

Second Day of Robotic HoLEP at Hill Clinic

This was the second day of the Robotic HoLEP course held at Hill Clinic. Dr. Georgiev performed a robotic HoLEP case during the session. The procedure concluded successfully.

I acknowledge the support from Andromeda Surg, Quanta System, Richard Wolf GmbH, Hill Clinic and ICUA for the equipment and organization. The technical execution during the live case was precise.

The focus remained on robotic enucleation techniques throughout the session. We observed the surgical steps in real-time. This training continues to advance the standard of care for BPH patients. The participants observed the excellent ongoing progress with this concept.

First Robotic HoLEP Case in Europe

I successfully completed the first Robotic HoLEP case in Europe at Hill Clinic today. This procedure follows the initial cases performed worldwide in Chile. The surgery utilized the Quanta System laser and Richard Wolf GmbH instruments. I collaborated with the Andromeda Surgical team during the operation. The procedure was completed without intraoperative complications. The team worked together efficiently. We are documenting the technical aspects for the ongoing clinical trial. The operation was performed under general anesthesia. This marks the first European application of this specific robotic configuration.

En-bloc HoLEP Training Session at Hill Clinic

This time I conducted a training session at Hill Clinic focused on En-bloc HoLEP. I worked with urologists from Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico and Philippines. We covered the specific steps of the technique using the Holmium laser. I demonstrated the procedure on the laser system. The group participated actively in the observation of cases. We exchanged experiences regarding the surgery and patient selection. The session concluded successfully with a review of the cases. I shared insights on the technical aspects of the surgery. The participants showed good engagement throughout the day. We discussed all  the nuances of the enucleation process.

Visitors from Australia, Perú, and India

I hosted visitors to our operating room from Australia, Perú, and India this week. They came to observe the en-bloc HoLEP procedure. We demonstrated the technique live, focusing on apical dissection and mucosal preservation. The group reviewed the instrumentation required for the Quanta System laser during the surgeries. They watched multiple cases and discussed the specific challenges of the en-bloc approach. We covered the technical details of the resection plane and the subsequent morcellation. The session was dedicated to observation-based training on the method we use daily.

Contrasting Instrument Sizes for HoLEP and Suprapubic Resection

We observed contrasting approaches to instrument sizing in urological surgery recently. While Dr. Figueiredo is working to miniaturise instruments for HoLEP, Dr. Gozzi is pursuing the opposite direction. As the inventor of the transobturator male incontinence sling, he is now making instruments larger to facilitate suprapubic resection of the prostate in big chunks.

Specifically, he is utilizing a 42 F resectoscope for this purpose. This discussion covered various methods for managing prostate volume during surgery.

OPTIMUM Trial Publication in JAMA

We have recently published the OPTIMUM trial results in JAMA. The study compares microultrasound versus MRI for prostate cancer diagnosis. We worked with our colleague Moisés Rodriguez Socarrás and collaborated with ExactImaging on this trial to evaluate diagnostic protocols. We demonstrated non-inferiority of the microultrasound technique for diagnostic accuracy compared to standard MRI imaging. This work was conducted in collaboration with ICUA. The trial confirms the role of microultrasound as an alternative to MRI for prostate cancer diagnosis in urology.

EAU Live Surgery Program Participation

I participated in the EAU live surgery program performing an En bloc HoLEP. The live surgeries were organized by LYX Foundation and Viamed Salud. I was impressed by their work. Giuseppe Maiolino was an excellent host. The session allowed for the demonstration of the technique. The organization ensured smooth execution of the cases. I thank the LYX Foundation and Viamed Salud teams for everything. The event was held as a live surgery broadcast. The technical details were covered during the presentation.

En bloc HoLEP session with Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia

I conducted an En bloc HoLEP session with colleagues from Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia. We discussed the technical aspects of the procedure during the live case. The international group participated in the training and observed the dissection closely. The session allowed for direct teaching on the specific steps of the enucleation. We focused on maintaining the apical dissection and sphincter preservation during the laser work. The Quanta System laser was used for the enucleation. The procedures lasted less than 60 minutes. The colleagues from the three South American countries reviewed the outcomes together. I recorded the video for future reference.

Consultant Appointment for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Rafael Sánchez Salas has joined ICUAurologia as an international consultant. He will visit Madrid regularly to perform focal and non-focal treatment of prostate cancer. We are utilizing Sonablate technology from Angiodynamics for these interventions. The collaboration focuses on ultrasound-guided ablation techniques for targeted therapy using specific devices.

This arrangement allows for expanded capacity in Madrid. The schedule is set for recurring visits. I will be present for the procedures. This expands available treatment options in Madrid. We will track the outcomes of these specific interventions.

EAU Congress Attendance

I attended the EAU congress this year. It has been quite a ride to see the EAU develop over the years. Frans Debruyne and all the other urologists spent their time and efforts building such a strong and valuable association. I attended the sessions. The meeting concluded with a celebration of the association's growth. I have attended the EAU for many years. I am part of the association. The association continues to organize international events for urologists around the world and includes members from various countries.

En bloc HoLEP training session at Hill Clinic

I organized a training session on En bloc HoLEP at Hill Clinic. We utilized the Quanta System laser for the procedure. Participants included urologists from Brazil, Chile, and Spain. Representatives from ICU Aurologia joined the group. We covered the technical aspects of the enucleation. The laser setup allowed for efficient practice. All participants engaged with the equipment. The session concluded successfully.

We discussed patient selection criteria. The new friends brought diverse perspectives to the case reviews. The focus remained on the surgical technique. No theoretical lectures were included. Observation of clinical cases was the priority. In such long sessions, there is no need to do lectures as we have time to cover all aspects of En bloc enucleation.

En Bloc HoLEPs at CEMTRO with Brazilian Colleagues

I spent two days at Clínica CEMTRO and ICUA performing En bloc HoLEPs. I was joined by new friends from Brazil who are interested in laser prostate surgery. We focused on the technique using the Quanta System laser. The cases included standard and complex anatomical enucleations.

We worked together during the sessions to refine the approach for larger prostates. The team at the clinic supported the procedures throughout the two days. This visit allowed for a shared experience in laser enucleation techniques. We discussed specific steps regarding apical dissection and mucosal preservation. The collaboration continued through the live surgical cases, a definitely interesting session!

Surgical session at Hill Clinic

This time, I performed a surgical session at Hill Clinic. I met new colleagues from Belgium and Brazil. We focused on the HoLEP procedure using the en bloc technique. The results show the method is getting faster and more efficient for large prostates. Several cases were completed during the visit. The laser settings were optimized for each patient. I will post the surgical videos on my YouTube channel soon. It was a valuable exchange of experience with international colleagues. The team collaborated well, as always. I observed significant improvements in operative time. Operating on many cases in a short time makes you a faster surgeon!