3rd ESGURS Meeting: Hot topics on reconstructive surgery

The EAU Section of Genito-Urinary Reconstructive Surgeons (ESGURS) has several hot topics in store for urologists attending its two-day meeting. Live surgery sessions make up the largest share of the scientific programme. The section has chosen Istanbul to host its third Section Meeting on 14-15 December.

The meeting is for urologists performing reconstructive surgery, and particularly for young urologists who are interested in this subject. Profs. Bulent Alici and Oktay Demirkesen, the local organising committee explain: “Genitourinary reconstructive surgery is a challenging topic within urology, but it attracts great interest among young urologists. We aim to bring senior experts and in particular, young urologists together.”

Hot topicsCurrent hot topics in urology will be discussed at the meeting. “Andrology will be well-represented. This includes topics like Peyronie’s disease-related surgery (grafts), artificial urinary sphincter implants, hypospadias and urethroplasties.”

“Endourology will be covered, in the form of laparoscopic pyeloplasties. Other important topics we will be addressing at the ESGURS meeting are robotic sacrocolpopexy and diverticulectomy. These are all topics which pertain to urology in general. New techniques are applied by different surgeons, and most need an expertise. A lot of urologists are trying to learn these techniques properly, so our meeting should provide a good way for them to gain an insight.”

Meeting structureThe meeting is focussed on being interactive, with small groups of participants. An important part of the programme is the emphasis on live surgery.

“This is a regular feature of ESGURS meetings” say the local organisers. “It will take place in two separate locations, over the course of two days. There will be interactive discussion during the surgery, with moderated Q&A sessions.” Among local specialists, the live sessions will also include surgical demonstrations by Dr. Alexander Mottrie (Belgium) and Prof. Ignacio Moncada (Spain), and ESGURS chairman Prof. Serdar Deger (Germany).

A central part of the meeting’s programme is the panel discussion on the role of robotics in reconstructive surgery. “An increasing number of urological surgical procedures is being carried out with robots. Although classic (open) surgery is still the gold standard for many urologic reconstructive procedures, recently many laparoscopic procedures have been done with robotic techniques. The degree in which this happens is an on-going matter for debate, one that will play out at the ESGURS section meeting.”

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