EAU, RSU eye collaborative projects and closer ties
At the recent 15th Russian Society of Urology (RSU) held in St. Petersburg, a team of EAU experts has led and co-chaired several scientific plenary sessions in various urological areas such as onco-urology, andrology, functional and reconstructive urology, making the event one of the most intensive partnerships in the last few years.
Held from September 18 to 20, the three-day event showcased the best in Russian urology and together with the EAU faculty members, leaders from both associations have jointly led the main plenary sessions, courses and workshops.
“The scientific programme of the 15th Congress is remarkable as it has been prepared in collaboration with the European Association of Urology, making it a significant event. Over the years many Russian urologists have been actively involved in the EAU’s committees and sections and with the European School of Urology. Understanding the need for mutual exchange of experience and educational resources has led to this meeting,” said Dr. Y. Alyaev, RSU chairman and head of the organising committee
The EAU team was led by no less than EAU Secretary General Chris Chapple with Professors Manfred Wirth, Hein Van Poppel, Walter Artibani, Frans Debruyne, Arnulf Stenzl, Bob Djavan and Wolfgang Weidner. Also joining as faculty members and lecturers were Professors Maurizio Brausi, Jean Palou, Olivier Traxer, Wolfgang Aulitzky, Luis Martinez-Pineiro, Alberto Briganti, Marcus John Drake, Dmitry Pushkar, Jeroen Van Moorselaar and Dr. Henk Van der Poel.
The EAU faculty members have co-chaired, together with their Russian counterparts, the main plenary sessions on prostate cancer, functional urology, andrology and male fertility, reconstrucive surgery, endourology and new urological technologies.
“This joint activity is part of the EAU’s goals to intensify its links and collaboration with other countries and international associations. We are delighted to be part of the RSU’s efforts to further boost urology in Russia,” said Chapple as he underscored the importance of mutual cooperation between the two associations.
Alyaev said the RSU is looking at best practices from other regions such as Western Europe and learn from joint activities in scientific research and continuing medical education. “We are working on key issues to improve the postgraduate training programme for urologists. The RSU participates in European and international clinical and research projects. One example of cooperation was the joint translation work and adaption of the EAU Guidelines within a Russian context,” added Alyaev.
The RSU is one of the largest professional medical organizations in Russia with over 5,000 Russian urologists. In recent years, many individual Russian urologists have been active in EAU acitivities, and Alyaev noted that this has prompted the RSU to harness the talents of Russian experts and benefit from their expertise.
In the opening plenary session, Chapple gave the keynote speech which focused on the EAU and its support of urological practice. Djavan presented on “Prostate Cancer Screening, A European Point of View,” while Van Poppel discussed high-risk progression prostate cancer and open radical prostatectomy.
In follow-up sessions, Stenzl examined stem cell therapy for incontinence while Weidner looked into innovations in treatment and the prevention of male reproductive disorders during the session on reproductive health. Traxer discussed Holmium laser, focusing on settings and laser fibers during the session on endourology and new uro-technologies.
Martinez-Pineiro and Chapple co-chaired the session on “Trauma of urogenital system organs and reconstruction” with Martinez-Pineiro lecturing on urethral strictures and surgical technique choice.
Wirth co-chaired the Plenary Session on Day 2 and lectured on radical cystectomy. Palou discussed the management of carcinoma in-situ in the bladder, while Drake gave an update on the EAU Guidelines in treating male LUTS. In one of the concluding sessions, Debruyne gave a lecture titled “Urology Development in Western Countries: Past, Present and Future,” which was complemented by Pushkar who spoke on the importance of joint scientific programmes between the RSU and EAU and the need for more collaborative activities.
Alyaev said the RSU is grateful for the EAU’s active support and thanked the RSU’s partners for a successful congress.