Originally posted February 4, 2024

I conducted a training session on En Bloc HoLEP at Hill Clinic in Sofia. Participants included colleagues from Brazil, Serbia, the Philippines, the USA, and Spain. The event involved the use of the Quanta System laser platform and was organized with Andromeda Surgical. We discussed the specific steps of the En Bloc technique during the practical session. The training took place over a full day of practical demonstrations and case reviews. I explained the indications for using Holmium laser in this specific anatomical approach. The group focused on technical nuances and operative strategies relevant to Holmium laser enucleation.

Originally posted January 25, 2024

Later today, I will present a semi-live HoLEP procedure for the audience at the Urotech meeting in Vienna, Austria. This presentation will demonstrate the technique in real-time, offering insights into the procedure's execution and outcomes.

Originally posted January 11, 2024

Today, I tested the new interface of Chat GPT. I found the Consensus app and asked a simple question. The answer was generated instantly. This is getting better fast.

I evaluated the response quality and checked the links provided in the output. I plan to use this for future case reviews. I shared the link with my team. We are observing the improvements closely in our clinical workflow. The information retrieval system is improving daily. The speed of the tool is notable.

Originally posted January 11, 2024

Today I explored the new show from Chat GPT. I found the Consensus app and asked a simple question. The system returned a summarized answer with cited sources. The quality of the response is improving quickly. I reviewed the references provided within the app interface. This tool assists in finding recent studies efficiently. The process takes less time than manual searching. I will continue monitoring the updates. The technology supports literature review tasks.

Originally posted December 18, 2023

I am watching my padawan, Dr. Georgi Georgiev, perform En bloc HoLEP at the Hill Clinic. He is performing at a top, international expert level, and it is moving to see how far he has come. I am very fulfilled by his progress and performance.

Originally posted December 18, 2023

I taught an En-bloc HoLEP course at Hill Clinic. The technique involved specific steps for en-bloc resection using the Holmium laser.

Attendees came from Chile, Mexico, and Brazil. We discussed the indications for this approach and the practical execution of the procedure. We focused on the anatomical landmarks required for safe dissection.

The group included new colleagues from these Latin American countries. We covered technical details regarding laser settings and tissue removal.

The session covered the En-bloc method for the participants. We reviewed patient selection criteria and postoperative considerations.

Originally posted December 15, 2023

I traveled to Thessaloniki to visit Dr. Andreou. We spent time in the operating theatre together. We performed En Bloc HoLEP procedures during this visit. The procedure involves the use of the Holmium laser for prostatic enucleation. We focused on the specific steps of the En Bloc removal technique in the operating room. This was a collaborative surgical session in Greece. The case demonstrated the practical application of the method. I discussed the technical aspects with Dr. Andreou. We completed the surgeries successfully. This visit allowed us to exchange surgical techniques.

Originally posted December 13, 2023

Today I received visitors from Ukraine and Lebanon. They came to review surgical cases. We discussed HoLEP techniques. The group included urologists interested in laser enucleation. I showed them recent procedures performed with the Holmium laser. We reviewed the operative details and outcomes. The cases involved benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment. It was a productive session focusing on technical aspects. I explained the approach for apical dissection. The visitors asked questions about the laser settings. We concluded the visit after reviewing the recorded videos. The discussions were focused on prostate management.

Originally posted November 28, 2023

We finished this month’s En bloc HoLEP course at HillClinic. We welcomed participants from Spain, Guatemala, Kuwait and Italy. Over the course of 4 days, we performed 34 HoLEPs. The focus was on the En bloc technique using the Holmium laser. Each participant practiced the procedure under direct supervision. We reviewed the surgical cases covering various prostate sizes and anatomical variations. The training concluded with a review of the key steps for safe and effective enucleation. The group demonstrated consistent progress throughout the week. This session allowed for detailed feedback on the dissection plane.

Originally posted November 24, 2023

Had another successful Teaching and Training (T&T) meeting. Kudos to the organizing team for making it happen.

Originally posted November 23, 2023

This time I hosted a group of Spanish urologists in our operating room. They came specifically to learn the En bloc HoLEP technique. We performed 6 cases consecutively, starting at 3 pm and finishing at 9 pm.

The surgical workflow was smooth throughout the evening. I acknowledge the excellent nursing team at ICUAurologia for their professional support during the operations. The anesthesia was managed by the team from Clinica CEMTRO and italfarmacoes.

The visitors observed the dissection steps closely and participated in the procedure under supervision. This session focused on the technical aspects of the en bloc approach. We completed all planned cases without complications.

Originally posted November 12, 2023

I was recently appointed as an Honorary Member of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires. Bernardo Nor9 provided assistance during the application process. The appointment is now official. The faculty is located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Originally posted November 8, 2023

I traveled to Buenos Aires to visit the urology department run by Bernardo Noris. The facility is located at UroVivo. During my stay, I met with the clinical team to review their setup. I observed their workflow and discussed current protocols. The staff provided hospitality throughout the visit. I thank Bernardo and his colleagues for the warm welcome. The department operates with high standards in patient care. This trip allowed for direct contact with specialists in the region. We exchanged information regarding our shared practices. The visit provided an opportunity to meet with these professionals. The interaction was professional and productive.

Originally posted November 8, 2023

I observed a significant bladder stone specimen in the library of Hospital de Clinicas José de San Martín in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The stone was extracted from a young patient previously diagnosed with a hypotonic bladder. The case was displayed during recent activities at the institution.

The size of the stone was remarkable given the patient's age. I examined the material on site personally. The event involved a display of clinical cases. I noted the dimensions during the visit. I discussed the extraction technique with the colleagues.

Originally posted November 8, 2023

I performed a live HoLEP surgery today at UroVivo in Buenos Aires. The procedure was conducted using the Quanta System laser platform. I streamed the enucleation to an online audience during the event. The surgery focused on the anatomical removal of the prostate tissue using the laser. The broadcast was organized by the UroVivo team in Argentina. I shared the technical steps of the operation throughout the session. The case involved standard enucleation techniques with the holmium laser. It was a live demonstration of the procedure.

Originally posted October 29, 2023

Nice session in Sofia with visitors from Mexico, Croatia, and Valencia, Spain. We discussed many challenging cases and focused extensively on En bloc HoLEP techniques. It was a productive exchange with my new colleagues.

Originally posted October 24, 2023

Tomorrow, I will present and moderate at the UROLAP meeting in Madrid. The programme is organised by the Department of Urology of Hospital La Paz. This event promises to be an exciting exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Originally posted September 30, 2023

This weekend I performed several HoLEP cases using Holmium laser enucleation. I also observed the Andromeda Surgical robotic enucleation system. I discussed the technology with Nick Damian. The system enables robotic enucleation procedures. I examined the specific technical features of the platform. We reviewed the instrument capabilities and the surgical workflow. The weekend was dedicated to clinical work and technical education regarding this equipment. I noted the procedural steps involved in the robotic approach. I reviewed the documentation provided by the manufacturer.

Originally posted September 22, 2023

I presented a live surgical case at the Canary Islands urology society meeting. The patient presented with a 250 cc prostate. I performed a smooth enucleation using the Holmium laser. During the morcellation phase, the procedure became challenging due to the presence of large stones, which I describe as beach balls. Despite the volume, the enucleation proceeded without complications. I completed the morcellation safely. The surgical video is available online for review. I demonstrated specific techniques to manage the difficult morcellation in large glands. This case covers the management of high-volume prostates.

Originally posted September 22, 2023

I attended the Canary Islands Urology Society Conference. The organization was excellent. I listened to outstanding presentations by Drs. Rodriguez Socarrás and Richard Gaston. Both shared complex clinical cases and discussed updated surgical techniques. The explanations were clear and direct. The session was very dynamic and allowed for an exchange of experiences with colleagues from the region. I actively participated in the discussion following the presentations. The atmosphere was professional and focused on daily clinical practice. The quality of the presentations justified my attendance.

Originally posted September 17, 2023

I registered on the ERUS23 website to view the live surgical cases scheduled for the congress. During my search, I was checking the archive for my presentations from the previous EAU meeting. I found a profile page where the photo displayed was not mine. I do not recognize the person shown in the image. It appears the organizers used a different picture for my session details on the Uroweb platform.

There seems to be an error with the attendee identification on the site. The event features multiple live surgical cases from international centers. This is a minor administrative issue during a large international gathering. The surgical content remains the focus of the event. I will continue to follow the program as planned.

Originally posted September 15, 2023

Visitors this week to our operating room came from Barcelona, Cádiz, and Galicia. We performed a Re-do procedure, an ejaculation-preserving median lobe resection, and four En-bloc HoLEPs. The visitors observed these procedures firsthand.

Originally posted July 29, 2023

I hosted a specialized course on En bloc HoLEP at HillClinic in Sofia, Bulgaria. A group of urologists attended from Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain. The curriculum emphasized the technical steps of the procedure using the Quanta System laser platform.

During the practical sessions, we addressed several unusual cases that presented specific anatomical challenges. These cases went really well and allowed the participants to practice difficult scenarios. The laser settings were adjusted for each case to ensure safety and efficiency.

The attendees engaged actively with the material throughout the day. We covered the necessary skills for HoLEP enucleation and mucosal preservation. The session concluded with a review of the cases performed. This event facilitated direct teaching on the specific technique.

Originally posted July 2, 2023

Visitors from Perú, Mexico, Philippines, and Italy came to our operating room at Hill Clinic in Sofia. They observed 30 En bloc HoLEPs, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the technique.

Originally posted May 12, 2022

Today I participated in the SIU Live congress of the Italian Society of Urology. We have broadcasted a case of anatomic En bloc endoscopic enucleation of the prostate with a new pulsed Thulium laser. This Revolix HTL laser is a new generation laser with interesting laser-tissue interaction properties.

The operation went very well, we could fit the 8o gram prostate enucleation in the 30 minutes of our slot. It is incredible to be able to participate in a congress that is celebrated in Italy from our operative room. It is a very popular congress as 4 surgeries take place at once. Urologists can watch in situ or online.

It is great to be able to contribute to these congresses and not have to go through all the travelling, hotels etc... it is fantastic.

Originally posted May 11, 2022

Yesterday I participated in the prostate cancer course organized by Dr. Luis Llanes, Head of the Department of Urology of the Hospital Universitario de Getafe.

I was asked to talk about the convenience or not to perform systematic biopsies during fusion biopsies for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

I presented as well our experience with combining MRI with systematic biopsies and micro-ultrasound targeted biopsies, which we are presenting this week during the American Urological Association congress.

Originally posted May 11, 2022

It has been a while since I publish here... my workload is quite heavy and I haven't stopped, could not find a moment to publish. I did not stop participating in courses and congresses, to receive visitors to our operating room during this lapse.

In October I participated at the Panhellenic Virtual Congress with a talk on HoLEP. We carried out a HoLEP course at Hospital San Juan Grande, Jerez de la Frontera, and I also participated in the Fundació Puigvert urology course and participated in the Brasilian congress on prostate enucleation virtually.

In November I presented a semilive surgical case in the T&T in Endourology course, virtually. We received visitors in our operating room, I participated virtually in the congress of the Philippine Endourological Society, and in a Masterclass of the Peruvian Society of Urology.

December was a quieter month, although we received visitors in a surgical session at the Hospital Juan Grande, in Jerez de la Frontera.

In January I prepared a talk for the World Venezuelan Urologists, online. I also visited the Quanta System factory, to prepare a video that will be published soon. 

In February we launched courses of HoLEP where we do 5 HoLEPs in one afternoon, receiving visitors to our operating room, sponsored by LACER. We did the first course and also organised a live transmission of two HoLEPs from our operating room.

In March I did an online talk for the Turkish Society of Endourology. We received visitors to our operating room and we did a Course on Microultrasound for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

In April we did two HoLEP courses sponsored by LACER, and I participated in the Masterclass on BPH organised by the European Scool of Urology, that took place in Heilbronn, Germany, performing a live surgical case. That same week I participated in the MEMIS virtual congress, organized in Bulgaria.

This month I also travelled to Berlin to participate in another Masterclass in BPH, where I also performed a live surgery.

The activity does not stop. I just hope to find time to update this blog. It is an online CV of sorts and I love to look at the old posts and remember my trips around the world... Lately I travel much less, thanks to the widespread of online congresses and the possibility of transmitting live surgeries from the operative room... but it is still a fascinating trip. I. published photos and info in my Twitter, just in case someone wants to have a peek.

Originally posted September 11, 2021

This year I was invited to lecture during the AUA Congress, invited by the CAU (Confederación Americana de Urología), to speak about different types of lasers and their advantages and disadvantages for endoscopic enucleation of the prostate.

The congress was going to take place in Las Vegas, but the AUA decided to make it fully virtual due to COVID and the difficulty to travel to the US. I had to send a video with my presentation.

Almost every year, the industry of medical devices launches new products and I have the privilege to be able to try all technologies for Endoscopic Enucleation of the prostate. At ICUA-Clínica CEMTRO we work with cutting-edge technology and in this talk, I discuss my conclusions after trying all different surgical tools.

Originally posted September 10, 2021

This time I received and invitation to participate in a webinar explaining the En bloc technique for HoLEP in a forum called PURE Urology in Facebook, via Youtube. 

This is the video: