11th ERUS: Unique combination of live surgery and robotic training

For the first time in its history, the annual EAU Robotic Urology Section (ERUS) meeting is coming to the Netherlands. The 11th edition of the ERUS meeting will take place from 17-19 September 2014, at the Beurs van Berlage in downtown Amsterdam. High quality robotic surgery by international experts with interactive moderation will take centre stage during this meeting.

“This will be a unique opportunity to learn, interact and build international relations with peers. Live surgery combined with hands-on training by experts as well as the scientific programme provides the urologist with an extensive update on all aspects of robotic urological surgery,” said local organizer Dr. Henk van der Poel (Amsterdam, NL), who is looking forward to a varied and interesting meeting. Around 160 abstracts were submitted, the highest number so far received by the organizers for the annual meeting.

With a total of 6 different live surgery sessions (demonstrating at least 12 procedures), the attendees will be spoilt for choice. “Prostatectomy, cystectomy, sentinel and extended lymph node dissection, single-site pyeloplasty and intracorporeal neobladder to name just a few,” said Van der Poel. “Dr. Vipul Patel (Florida, USA) will perform a radical prostatectomy on Thursday. Other robotic surgery such as the Avicenna system by ELMED and non-frequent indications will feature on Friday. We present an international faculty covering Europe, Asia and the Americas with subjects ranging from robotic surgery in Asia to industrial robots in the operating room with a special report from the Pasadena robot cystectomy consensus group.”

Although the ERUS meeting takes place in Amsterdam, the live surgery will be performed in Rotterdam at the Maasstad hospital, prompting Van der Poel to note that the organization of this ERUS meeting is therefore very much a joint Dutch affair: “A highly skilled and experienced centre such as Maasstad hospital is the optimal location to deliver state-of-the-art live surgery. The experts are available for questions and input during the surgery sessions which will enhance interactive learning.”

The programme also provides for nurses and junior urologists. Van der Poel: “There is a tailor-made course on Wednesday for nurses (organized by the EAUN for which a special fee applies) focusing on the nursing aspects of robotic surgery. MIMIC, one of the sponsors of the afternoon sessions, have provided one of their simulators which nurses can use to experience hands-on training. Junior ERUS members also have their own programme and on Wednesday five different ESU/ERUS (advanced) courses in robotics covering partial nephrectomy, prostatectomy, cystectomy, urogenital tumours and reconstructive surgery will be given— a wonderful example of practicality and interaction brought together in one setting.”

The 11th ERUS Meeting is also a test case with regards to the recently published EAU regulations. “Patient integrity is absolutely vital when performing live surgery in a setting like this,” Van der Poel emphasized. “Since ERUS meets all criteria, we are confident that we will be able to set a good example.” The meeting has since been endorsed by the EAU Live Surgery Committee.

Visit the meeting website for more details. Online registration closes on September 1st, 2014.