Collaboration is crucial in stone management

Boosting collaborative work and bringing the latest updates in stone management will top the agenda of the 3rd EAU Section of Urolithiasis (EULIS) Meeting to be held in Alicante, Spain, from September 10 to 12.

“For the first time we are pushing for a closer collaborative work with our nephrologist partners through a joint session with European Renal Assocation-European Dialysis & Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA). This meeting will be the first one to initiate closer collaboration between EULIS and partner societies,” said Prof. Kemal Sarica, EULIS chairman.

Sarica stressed that stronger links with specilaised societies such as nephrologists across Europe is important since consensus in treatment will ultimately bring benefit to stone patients through optimal care anchored on evidence-based approaches.

“A strong collaboration between societies and consensus in shared approaches in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of stone-forming patients will certainly speed up the innovations in pathophysiology, management and medication of stone disease,” Sarica said.

The bi-annual meeting, which followed two editions held in London and Copenhagen in 2011 and 2013, respectively, will also present for the first time unedited video presentations that will highlight innovative surgical approaches. The video sessions will be complemented by state-of-the-art lectures to prompt discussions. One of the featured lectures, a critical look on technology-driven innovations, will be the Endourological Society lecture by Prof. David Tolley (GB) titled “Standard, mini, ultra-mini, super-mini, micro PNL: Do we need all this stuff?”

The opening session will right away bring to participants the most recent updates and discussions on controversial topics in stones, with expert opinion leaders sharing their insights and findings.

Sarica said not only did the organisers re-formatted the programme but have also focused on educational goals such as simulation training in endourology to highlight the role of an integrated and standardized educational training programme for urology residents.

From plenary sessions and round-table discussions, workshops, poster and video sessions, and thematic discussions are lined-up for the three-day event, covering key aspects in modern stone management.

Participants have until May 4 to submit their abstracts. The review committee will review all submitted abstracts and the final selection will be announced by June 1.

For details on registration and the scientific programme, visit the meeting website at: http://eulis15.uroweb.org/home